Published Jul 14, 2026 | 1:28 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2026 | 1:28 PM
Chennai, 6 July: Vehicles parked on the footpath in front of RBL Bank on 4th Avenue Road, Shanthi Colony, Anna Nagar, force pedestrians onto the road.
Synopsis: Pedestrians, perhaps the largest unorganised section of citizens, are deprived of footpaths — pavements to walk safely and with dignity. The Supreme Court has now asserted that the right to walk on safe, demarcated footpaths is a fundamental right under the rights to free movement and life. But are the footpaths in your city available for pedestrians?
Why do we have laws? If they are not enforced, what purpose do they serve?
Here is Section 285 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) that deals with danger or obstruction in a public way or line of navigation.
It says, “Whoever, by doing any act, or by omitting to take order with any property in his possession or under his charge, causes danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way or public line of navigation, shall be punished with a fine which may extend to ₹5,000.”
See the picture. Can you spot the violation? Interestingly, the man walking on the road, too, conflicts with the law. Sunish P Surendran captured this scene in front of the RBL Bank on 4th Avenue at Shanthi Colony in Chennai’s Anna Nagar.
Chennai, 6 July: Vehicles parked on the footpath in front of RBL Bank on 4th Avenue Road, Shanthi Colony, Anna Nagar, force pedestrians onto the road.
Join South First’s Reclaim Footpaths campaign. If you see a footpath that is encroached on or damaged, share a photo and details (location, date) with us at +91 8341082462. We will flag it to the authorities responsible for fixing it.
