21 July 2026

Editorial: Pedestrian safety and reclaiming urban footpaths from vehicular encroachment

The topic covers a significant Supreme Court judgment expanding fundamental rights under Articles 19(1)(d) and 21 to pedestrian footpaths, along with key urban planning and public health dimensions.

Notes

• In Maniyar Iliyaz @ Shaik Riyaz vs P. Ayyappan (2026), the Supreme Court ruled that walking on demarcated footpaths is a fundamental constitutional right under Article 19(1)(d) and Article 21.
• The Supreme Court directed States and Union Territories to frame comprehensive policies and guidelines for the provision and maintenance of safe footpaths and footways.
• According to the WHO India Physical Activity Profile 2024, 49.4% of Indian adults, 57.2% of Indian women, and 74% of adolescents aged 11-17 fail to meet recommended physical activity levels.
• WHO guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week for adults to prevent metabolic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver disease, and obesity.
• Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) 'Road Accidents in India 2024' report indicates that pedestrians and two-wheeler riders together accounted for nearly 67% of road fatalities (1.28 lakh deaths).
• NCRB 2024 data highlights that vulnerable road users (pedestrians and two-wheeler riders) account for over 1.1 lakh deaths, making up at least 60% of total road fatalities.
• Urban planning solutions proposed include planned street allocation separating pedestrian paths, vending zones, utility corridors, and parking spaces, rather than periodic anti-encroachment drives.
• Key policy recommendations include establishing a national active-mobility mission, measuring urban planning success by safe walking kilometres created, and requiring municipal commissioners to publish ward-level footpath maps and annual encroachment-free audits.

Questions

1. In light of the Supreme Court's ruling recognizing walking on demarcated footpaths as a fundamental right under Articles 19(1)(d) and 21, discuss how walkable urban infrastructure impacts public health and road safety in India. What institutional and urban planning reforms are required to ensure barrier-free active mobility? 250 words
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2. Non-motorized transport and pedestrian infrastructure are often sidelined in Indian urban planning. Examine the socio-economic and public health implications of this neglect. 150 words
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Prelims

1. According to the Supreme Court judgment in Maniyar Iliyaz @ Shaik Riyaz vs P. Ayyappan (2026), the right to walk on demarcated footpaths is protected under which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India?

   1. A Article 14 and Article 19(1)(a)
   2. B Article 19(1)(d) and Article 21
   3. C Article 21 and Article 32
   4. D Article 19(1)(g) and Article 300A

2. As per the WHO physical activity recommendations, what is the minimum duration of moderate-intensity physical activity per week recommended for adults to maintain optimal health?

   1. A 75 minutes
   2. B 100 minutes
   3. C 150 minutes
   4. D 300 minutes

3. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways 'Road Accidents in India 2024' report, which group of road users accounted for nearly 67% of total road fatalities?

   1. A Heavy commercial vehicle drivers and helpers
   2. B Car and SUV occupants
   3. C Two-wheeler riders and pedestrians
   4. D Auto-rickshaw and cyclist commuters

Syllabus

• Role of women and women’s organizations, population issues, poverty GS1
• Indian Constitution GS2

Topics

• Urbanization
• Public Policy

Sources

• Reclaiming footpaths, taking cities back from cars