SC: Centre to ensure every road has encroachment-free space for pedestrians
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to ensure that every road has a properly demarcated and encroachment-free space for pedestrians.
A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe asked Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing for the Centre, to instruct the authorities concerned to ensure that pedestrian spaces are protected from encroachment and clearly separated from lanes used by motor vehicles.
"Without any big investment and construction, just ensure that proper demarcation is done of walkers' space. Wherever there is a road, there should be a walkers' space. Do it with a rope or anything and ensure it is not encroached," the bench said.
The bench gave Nataraj two weeks to convey the directions to the authorities concerned and stressed that pedestrians must have confidence that the designated space belongs to them and they can walk freely without the threat of moving vehicles.
The court posted the matter for further hearing after two weeks.
On June 19, the Supreme Court, in a significant verdict, held that the right to walk on a demarcated footpath is a fundamental right.
It said the right of pedestrians on demarcated footpaths shall have priority over motorised vehicles and forms part of the right to movement guaranteed under Article 19(1)(d), as well as other fundamental rights, including the right to life and liberty under Article 21.
(Inputs from PTI)
