The walking experience of a pedestrian in India is like the famous mobile game, Temple Run, where the character navigates roadblocks one after another. Footpaths meant for walking are either usurped by shopkeepers or become parking spaces for two-wheelers or shelters for animals; in fact, it is not even rare to find a manhole left open. Where they exist, footpaths are uneven, of inconsistent height or end abruptly, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road meant for vehicles, putting their lives at risk. According to data released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in 2024, over 1.8 lakh pedestrians were killed in road accidents between 2019 and 2024. 54% of pedestrian deaths took place due to collisions with vehicles. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Supreme Court has declared the right to walk on a safe and demarcated footpath as a Fundamental Right under Articles 19(1)(d) and 21 of the Indian Constitution. Article 19(1) (d) is the right to move freely throughout the territory of the country, and Article 21 is the right to life and personal liberty.
The facts of this case are heartbreaking. A young father was dropping his son off at school when a tanker came from behind and crushed the boy. The Court went on to call the absence of safe footpaths as civilizational problem, observing that ‘walking is a struggle for the not so fortunate, meditation in motion for many, resistance for others, discovery for the inquisitive, a cohesive strategy for sharp socio-political minds.’ The Court linked having safe, demarcated footpaths to the beautification of cities and urban liveability, noting that walkable streets make a city more tourist and resident-friendly.
Poor Planning and Public Health dimension
The failure to develop basic, citizen-friendly pedestrian infrastructure pushes citizens to use motor vehicles for commuting, even for short distances. Because in the alternative, they are likely to encounter potholes, broken pavements, and encroachments. The downside of this choice is the proliferation of two wheelers, cars, E-rickshaws, and autos, resulting in sharp increases in road traffic congestion and vehicular emissions, making cities like Delhi unliveable. It directly affects economic productivity, causes loss of work hours, and negatively impacts public health, as rising air pollution is driving up respiratory and cardiovascular diseases among people while also discouraging physical activity such as walking, which is necessary to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Walking also stands as a way to reduce social anxiety and depression and improve mood. India is currently undergoing a public health crisis as non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart diseases are on the rise. Walking is the cheapest and most accessible method available to all. Several health studies indicate that walking over 7,000 steps a day is associated with a meaningful reduction in cardiovascular disease risk.
What needs to change
The duty to create and maintain adequate civilian infrastructure rests with the Municipal Corporations and urban development authorities. What Indian cities need is proper urban planning and the allocation of road space for building footpaths, cycle tracks, and other public amenities. A well connected, uninterrupted pavement infrastructure that connects major commercial hubs, residential areas, metro stations, etc., is the need of the hour and can become a lifeline for metro cities. Between 2013 and 2019, Chennai redesigned its streets, added 100 kilometres of footpaths, and created a people-friendly public square. Its positive effects were immediately evident: more people who preferred walking were more likely to use vehicles. In fact, according to ITDP’s studies, up to 12,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions were prevented annually due to pavement developments. The study found that a reduction in air pollution prevented about 340 deaths each year due to non-communicable diseases. The Chennai experiment shows that the power of will by urban development authorities can bring about a sea change. The Supreme Court has shown the way; until urban development authorities swing into action, pedestrians will have to continue to dodge hurdles on Indian roads.
*Adhivaryu Agrawal, Final Year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) Student, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow
