Walking on Footpaths a Fundamental Right, Supreme Court Says
The court said pedestrians have priority over motorised vehicles and ordered local bodies to provide and maintain demarcated footpaths.
- On Friday, the Supreme Court declared the freedom to walk on demarcated footpaths a fundamental right, asserting that pedestrian access holds priority over motorised vehicle movement under the Constitution.
- Justices P.S. Narasimha and A.S. Chandurkar delivered the ruling while adjudicating a compensation claim for a five-year-old boy killed by a tanker, noting municipal administration historically prioritised motorised vehicles over pedestrians.
- Enhancing the child's family compensation to Rs 11,44,628, the bench asserted that urban development authorities and municipalities bear constitutional obligation to construct and maintain obstruction-free pedestrian infrastructure.
- Directing its Registry to coordinate with the Law Commission and ministries of Housing and Urban Affairs, Rural Development, Road Transport and Highways, the court ordered establishment of a full-time regulator for pedestrian rights.
- By codifying safe access to footpaths under Article 21's guarantee of life and dignity, the ruling fundamentally shifts Indian urban governance and requires local bodies to treat pedestrian infrastructure as essential, not optional.
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18 Articles
Walking a fundamental right: Supreme Court wants footpaths for all roads
The Supreme Court has declared the right to walk on safe, demarcated footpaths a fundamental right. The ruling places a binding duty on public authorities and puts pedestrians ahead of motorists' privilege.
The Supreme Court has recognized the right to walk as a fundamental right under the Constitution. Hearing a case related to a road accident, the Court held the administration responsible for the safety and construction of sidewalks. The Court stated that pedestrian rights are superior to those of motor vehicles.
Walking On Demarcated Footpaths A Fundamental Right: Supreme Court
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, a bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice AS Chandurkar declared that the right to walk forms part of the freedoms guaranteed under Article 19(1)(d) of the Constitution.
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