Reclaiming footpaths, taking cities back from cars, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court of India declared walking on demarcated footpaths a fundamental constitutional right in June 2026.
• This ruling was made in the case of Maniyar Iliyaz @ Shaik Riyaz vs P. Ayyappan (2026).
• The right is protected under Article 19(1)(d) and Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
• The court directed States and Union Territories to frame policies for the provision and maintenance of safe footpaths.
• India faces a public health crisis with 49.4% of adults not meeting recommended physical activity levels, contributing to rising metabolic diseases.
• Pedestrians and two-wheeler riders account for nearly 67% of road fatalities, as per the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways report.

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court of India ruling elevates footpaths from a municipal issue to a matter of constitutional importance, impacting public health, road safety, and democratic urban planning.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week for adults.
• The built environment, particularly the lack of usable footpaths, significantly contributes to sedentary lifestyles and associated health risks like diabetes and hypertension.
• Footpaths are described as "preventive medicine" that enable safe access to public transport, schools, and markets, promoting physical activity for all citizens.
• The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Transport Research Wing) report ‘Road Accidents in India 2024’ underscores the extreme vulnerability of pedestrians and two-wheeler riders on Indian roads.
• Effective solutions require planned allocation of urban spaces for walking, vending, and parking, moving beyond temporary anti-encroachment drives.
• Civic bodies must ensure footpaths are continuous, shaded, well-lit, barrier-free, and wide enough for accessibility, with strict enforcement against encroachments.
• India needs a national active-mobility mission to integrate urban development, transport, health, and education policies.
• Urban planning should be assessed by the number of safe walking kilometers created, rather than infrastructure like flyovers.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Fundamental Right to Walk: The constitutional right to use demarcated footpaths, protected under specific articles of the Constitution of India.
• Article 19(1)(d): Guarantees the right to move freely throughout the territory of India, which the court linked to the right to walk on footpaths.
• Article 21: Guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, interpreted to include the right to a dignified life and safe environment.
• Built Environment: The human-made surroundings that provide the setting for human activity, influencing health and lifestyle choices.
• Active Mobility: Any form of human-powered transport, such as walking or cycling, promoted for health and environmental benefits.