Supreme Court declares the right to walk carefree on footpaths a fundamental right
The Supreme Court of India has declared the right to walk on demarcated footpaths a fundamental right, prioritizing pedestrian safety over motorized vehicle movement. The judgment mandates that municipal authorities ensure the existence and maintenance of footpaths, criticizing current laws for favoring vehicles over human life.
Why it matters
This ruling shifts urban planning priorities in India, legally compelling local governments to redesign infrastructure to protect pedestrians and potentially leading to a new statutory framework for road safety.
The Supreme Court on Friday (June 19), in a judgment, declared the freedom to walk on demarcated and well-maintained footpaths a fundamental right which has priority over movement by motorised vehicles.
The report objectively summarizes a judicial ruling and its legal reasoning without injecting editorial opinion, focusing on the court's interpretation of constitutional rights.
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