Walking on footpaths is a fundamental right, says Supreme Court. Here’s how Gurgaon fares, Pg4

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court has declared the right to walk safely on well-demarcated footpaths as a Fundamental Right.
• This right is deemed to have priority over motorized vehicles on designated paths and is part of Article 19 (1) (d) and Article 21 of the Constitution.
• In Gurgaon, walking accounts for 33% of daily intra-city trips, but the city's walkability index is a dismal 0.68 out of 5.
• The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) aims to develop a total city-wide footpath network of 1,083 km by 2041.

Detailed Insights:

• The ruling emphasizes that the right to movement and life includes the right to safe pedestrian infrastructure.
• The Comprehensive Mobility Management Plan (CMMP) for Gurugram in 2020 highlighted "grossly inadequate" and "deficient" pedestrian facilities.
• Before recent interventions, only 28% (153.6 km) of Gurgaon's road network had footpaths, primarily in older areas.
• An analysis identified 800 km of the city's road networks currently lacking essential pedestrian infrastructure.
• The action plan mandates footpaths to be at least 1.8 meters wide, accommodating two wheelchair users, and 2.5 meters in commercial zones.
• Approximately 40% of the target for footpath development in Gurgaon has been met so far.
• Experts note that many existing footpaths do not comply with Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines regarding width, continuity, and accessibility features.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Fundamental Right: A basic human right guaranteed by a constitution, enforceable by law.
• Article 19 (1) (d): Guarantees the right to move freely throughout the territory of India.
• Article 21: Guarantees the protection of life and personal liberty.
• Walkability Index: A measure of how friendly an area is to walking, considering safety, convenience, and policy support.