Published Jul 21, 2026 | 7:30 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 21, 2026 | 7:30 AM
Kochi, 17 July: A pedestrian steps onto the road as a swanky car prevents safe movement on the footpath.
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?
Pallimukku, where the Medical Trust Hospital is located in Kochi, is a bustling area, struggling to accommodate the ever-growing number of vehicles. The roads are not wide enough to hold the burgeoning vehicle population. Private buses and autorickshaws hurry through the roads, and slight carelessness could cause an accident, especially to pedestrians—several of them visiting the hospital from far-off places. Yet, some consider it their privilege to park vehicles casually on the narrow footpath, forcing pedestrians to sidestep on the busy road.
Kochi, 17 July: A pedestrian steps onto the road as a swanky car prevents safe movement on the footpath.
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.
