SUPREME COURT: CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF PAVEMENT WALKERS
While the irony is
that in most of the cities of India, the public has to face a lot of trouble
due to the poor condition or lack of footpaths. Not only this, but in the
absence of good footpaths, people have to walk on the roads amidst the traffic.
As a result, people become victims of accidents, and many even die.
In the year 2022,
32825 pedestrians were killed across the country. In the year 2021, 17113
pedestrians became victims of road accidents, out of which 9462 died. Every
fifth person killed in a road accident in 2023 was a pedestrian. According to
the data of the Delhi Traffic Police, in just four months in 2025, 184 pedestrians died
in road accidents.
Recently, the Supreme
Court held that the right to walk on footpaths is part of the life and personal
liberty of people under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Apex Court also
said that footpaths are a constitutional right of the people. The apex court
observed while slamming the state and UT governments for the lack of footpaths and
encroachments on roads across the country.
This comment of the
Supreme Court is commendable and welcome. The court has understood the
importance of the safety of pedestrians. It has also taken care that the
footpaths should be easily accessible even for the disabled. Apart from this,
the apex court has also directed the central government to constitute a
National Safety Board within six months.
At some places, there is no footpath, and at other places, there is a problem with the footpath.
- Roads were built in many places in the city, but the city council did not permit to making of footpaths.
- Encroachment is also one of the reasons. People set up their shops on the sidewalks.
- Even if a footpath is built, those walking on it have to cross many barriers.
- At some places, garbage is found, and at other places, concrete is found.
- Most of the pavements are lined with vehicles or street vendors, and in many places you will even find cattle sitting.
- It has often been seen that footpaths are not made according to the prescribed standards. It becomes very difficult for people to walk between crowds and traffic.
- When it comes to making policies regarding transport or road safety, these pedestrians are ignored.
Advocacy for making
sidewalks pedestrian-friendly
Advocating for making
sidewalks accessible and safe for pedestrians is important because it allows
pedestrians to move around the city in a safe and accessible way, making their
mobility easier and improving public health. Sidewalks encourage walking, which
increases physical activity, which is beneficial for health.
In Delhi, a tour
company called Delhi by Cycle advocates for making the city's streets more
pedestrian-friendly by cycling. They run a variety of campaigns to raise
awareness about the importance of walking. This includes walking and talking to
politicians.
There are many
benefits of building sidewalks.
- Good sidewalks have a great
impact on the environment, economy, people's health, and safety.
- People who use vehicles like
cars or motorcycles will start walking due to the good sidewalks. As a
result, greenhouse gases and pollution particles in the air will decrease.
- People with low wages can also
benefit from sidewalks. This is because they can save money by walking.
- People also have their own
needs for using sidewalks.
- Sidewalks contribute to a more
vibrant and connected urban environment.
- They facilitate safe and
convenient access to buildings, businesses, and public spaces, making it
easier for people to navigate the city.
- Walking outdoors, as encouraged
by sidewalks, can reduce the spread of diseases compared to crowded indoor
transportation options.
A group called Walking
Project released a manifesto ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections in
Mumbai. This was done to bring to the public's attention the poor condition of
the city's roads and encourage local leaders to take action on the problem.
This included several
demands such as better parking spaces for vehicles, special areas for people
selling goods near the road, wider roads for people to walk safely and
footpaths for the convenience of disabled people. This laudable step was taken
by Vedant Mhatre, the coordinator of the walking project.
Our leaders need to
pay as much attention to pedestrian infrastructure as they do to public
transport. Too much attention is paid to fixing traffic jams and not to
building sidewalks. The central government should make it mandatory for states
to follow the guidelines set by the Indian Road Congress, a national
organization that sets standards for roads and highways.
Cities can also create
their own non-motorised transport policies (NMTPs), which will help cities
create better infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. NMTPs can be
tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of a city.
NMTPs can guide the
development of better walking and cycling infrastructure, including bike lanes,
pedestrian zones, and safe crossings. In essence, NMTPs offer a powerful
tool for cities to create more sustainable, livable, and equitable urban
environments by prioritizing walking and cycling.
At present, only a few
cities in India have used non-motorised transport policies, but it is time for
more cities to move in this direction. Many cities are now focusing on
"active mobility," which includes walking and cycling, but dedicated
NMT policies are still relatively uncommon.
The development of NMT
infrastructure, such as cycle lanes and pedestrian pathways, is crucial for
promoting NMT and making it a convenient and safe mode of
transport. Realigning planning priorities and promoting NMT in
transportation planning is the need of the hour.
The Greater Chennai
Corporation was one of the first in India to implement an NMT policy, and
cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore have adopted public bicycle sharing
schemes.
Comments
Post a Comment