Published Aug 03, 2026 | 2:53 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 03, 2026 | 2:53 PM
Vehicles parked on the footpath in front of RBL Bank on 4th Avenue Road in Chennai's Anna Nagar force pedestrians onto the road. (Sunish P Surendran)
Synopsis: A Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe directed the Centre to issue orders to the authorities concerned within two weeks to clearly separate footpaths from vehicle lanes and prevent encroachments.
The Supreme Court on Monday, 3 August, instructed the Union government to ensure a properly demarcated and encroachment-free space for pedestrians on every road in the country.
The apex court had on 19 June upheld the right of pedestrians to walk on footpaths as a fundamental right under Articles 19(1)(d) and 21 of the Indian Constitution.
The uneven footpath at Hyderabad’s Kompally poses a risk to pedestrians. Food stalls on the walkway add to the chaos. (Shreshta Ladegaam)
On Monday, a Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe directed the Centre to issue orders to the authorities concerned within two weeks to clearly separate footpaths from vehicle lanes and prevent encroachments.
“Wherever there is a road, there should be a walkers’ space,” the Bench said. Pedestrians should be able to walk without fear of vehicles.
The court further said the footpaths must be demarcated without major investments or constructions, such as using ropes or other physical objects.
The Bench will further hear the matter after two weeks.
Also Read: Join the campaign to usher in the era of civic accountability
Incidentally, the High Court of Kerala had on 31 July asked the Kochi Corporation to formulate a comprehensive protocol for pedestrian infrastructure within a month.
Justice Devan Ramachandran issued the directive based on the Supreme Court’s 19 June order. Taking serious note of the issue, the court warned that it would intervene if local body authorities failed to protect the rights of the people.
The court would hear the case next on 20 August.
(Join South First’s Reclaim Footpaths campaign. If you see a footpath encroached or damaged, share a photo with details (location, date) with us on +91 8341082462. We will flag it to the authorities responsible for fixing it).
