Supreme Court Mandates Safe Pedestrian Zones on Roads

Supreme Court's Directive for Pedestrian Safety

New Delhi, August 3 - The Supreme Court has instructed the central government to ensure that designated pedestrian areas are clearly marked and free from encroachments wherever there are roads. A bench comprising Justice P. S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe directed the additional solicitor general K. M. Nataraj, representing the government, to inform relevant authorities to keep pedestrian zones free from any obstructions and distinctly separate from vehicle pathways.

The bench emphasized that it is possible to clearly delineate pedestrian spaces without significant investment or construction. It stated, “There should be a designated area for pedestrians wherever there is a road. This should be marked with ropes or other means, ensuring that there are no encroachments.”

The court granted a two-week timeframe for the authorities to implement these directives, stressing that pedestrians must feel assured that these spaces are exclusively for them, allowing them to walk freely without the threat of moving vehicles. The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for two weeks later.

In a significant ruling on June 19, the Supreme Court declared that the right to walk on marked footpaths is a fundamental right. The court stated that the rights of pedestrians on designated pathways will take precedence over motor vehicles, and this is part of the guaranteed right to movement under Article 19(1)(g) and other fundamental rights, including Article 21 (right to life and liberty).