Politics
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Supreme Court orders encroachment-free walking space nationwide
The Telegraph··4 Aug
The Supreme Court directed the Centre to ensure every road has a properly demarcated, encroachment-free space for pedestrians nationwide. A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe asked the Additional Solicitor General to instruct authorities within two weeks, saying simple measures like ropes could separate walking space from vehicle lanes without major investment or construction.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Pedestrians in cities and towns can expect authorities to start demarcating walking space along roads within a court ordered two week window.
- Citizens injured due to encroached or missing footpaths can now seek compensation separately from existing motor vehicle accident claims.
- Urban residents can hold municipal corporations, panchayats and development authorities directly accountable for footpath maintenance under this ruling.
What's Happening
- The Supreme Court directed the Centre to ensure every road has a properly demarcated, encroachment-free walking space for pedestrians.
- The bench gave the Additional Solicitor General two weeks to instruct authorities and posted the matter for further hearing.
- The order builds on a June 19 verdict that declared walking on a demarcated footpath a fundamental constitutional right.
June Ruling Made Walking A Constitutional Right
- The June ruling arose from a case where a father lost his five year old son in a motor accident while walking to school.
- The court said the right to walk falls under Articles 19 and 21, giving it priority over movement by motorised vehicles.
- The case has been registered under the title Re: Fundamental Right to Walk and Footpath for continued monitoring.
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