Right to Walk: Supreme Court Recognizes Pedestrian Safety as a Fundamental Right under Article 21

Key directives issued by the Court include the formulation of a National Pedestrian Policy by the Union Government. This policy is intended to standardize pedestrian infrastructure across states, ensuring "universal accessibility" for the elderly and persons with disabilities. Furthermore, the Court directed state governments and municipal bodies to clear all encroachments from existing footpaths within a stipulated timeframe, framing these spaces as "public trusts" that cannot be diverted for other uses. This judgment is expected to have far-reaching implications for urban governance. It necessitates a move away from car-centric infrastructure—such as excessive road widening at the cost of sidewalks—towards "complete streets" that accommodate all users. For a country like India, which records some of the highest pedestrian fatalities globally, this legal recognition provides a much-needed framework for accountability in urban design and traffic management. UPSC Relevance: This ruling is a significant addition to the judicial expansion of Article 21 and can be used in GS Paper II to discuss the "Evolution of Fundamental Rights" and "Judicial Activism." It also provides a critical rights-based dimension to GS Paper I topics on "Urbanization" and GS Paper III "Infrastructure," highlighting the intersection of public safety, inclusive design, and urban policy.