Why Supreme Court said the right to walk on footpaths is fundamental
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Health policy & public health· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Supreme Court ruled that the right to walk on footpaths is a fundamental right, emphasizing pedestrian safety over motorized traffic under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Background
The Supreme Court observed that pedestrian deaths in India have more than doubled in the past decade, now accounting for 20% of road fatalities. The court specifically criticized the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations of 2017 for failing to recognize pedestrian rights.
Facts for Prelims
- Act / BillMotor Vehicles Act, 1988: Primary legislation governing road transport and safety in India
- FactPedestrians account for 1 in 5 road fatalities in India as per recent judicial observations
- BodySupreme Court of India: Exercised judicial review to interpret pedestrian rights under the Motor Vehicles Act
For Mains
Q. Examine the legal and infrastructural challenges in ensuring pedestrian safety in Indian cities despite existing motor vehicle regulations.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Regulatory gap: Failure of the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations of 2017 to explicitly codify pedestrian rights
- Urban planning conflict: Competition for limited road space between motorized transport and pedestrian mobility
- Enforcement deficit: Lack of dedicated infrastructure and policing to prevent encroachment on footpaths
Keywords: Fundamental Rights · Pedestrian Safety · Judicial Activism · Urban Mobility · Right to Life
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.