'Safety of pedestrians most important': Supreme Court tells states, UTs to frame guidelines for proper footpaths

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said safety of pedestrians is of utmost importance and absence of footpaths is dangerous as it leads to a number of accidents.

The top court sought to know as how the states and local authorities will protect this fundamental right of pedestrians to have footpaths in proper condition without any obstruction.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan directed all states and union territories to frame guidelines to ensure proper footpaths for pedestrians.

The court said absence of footpaths poses danger, which leads to a number of accidents, and stressed that when pedestrians are forced to walk on roads, they are vulnerable to risks.

“It is necessary to have proper footpaths for citizens. They should be such that they should be accessible for persons with disabilities and removal of encroachments is mandatory. This court has recognised that the right of pedestrians to use footpaths is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution,” the bench said.

The bench said the question is how the states and local authorities will protect this fundamental right of pedestrians to have footpaths in proper condition without any obstruction and also make sure that the footpaths are disabled friendly.

"According to us, the safety of pedestrians is of utmost important and the right to have footpaths which are unobstructed is certainly an essential characteristic,” the bench said.

The court said on all public roads there must be proper facility of footpaths, with special emphasis on facilities for persons with disabilities.

The court opined the states will have to evolve its own policies to ensure that proper footpaths are available for the benefit of pedestrians.

The bench directed the Centre to place on record the policies and guidelines on the subject of protecting rights of pedestrians.

The court asked the Centre to file a compliance report.

The court scheduled the matter for August 1, 2025, for further hearing.

The court also granted six months to the Centre to constitute a National Road Safety Board and clarified no more time would be granted. The bench passed the order on a plea raising concerns on pedestrian safety, emphasising the lack of proper footpaths and encroachments on walkways.