From the Opinions Editor
GS1History · Society · Geography· Urbanisation· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Supreme Court declared the right to walk safely on demarcated footpaths as a fundamental right under Article 21, criticizing the Motor Vehicles Act's bias toward motorized transport.
Background
The Supreme Court linked pedestrian safety to the Right to Life and Liberty under Article 21. The court cited international urban models like Copenhagen and Bogotá to advocate for pedestrian-centric mobility over motorized transport.
Facts for Prelims
- ConstitutionArticle 21: Protects the Right to Life and Personal Liberty, interpreted by the SC to include safe public mobility.
- Act / BillMotor Vehicles Act: Primary legislation governing road transport and vehicle regulations in India.
- PlaceCopenhagen, Bogotá, Curitiba, and Kigali: Cities cited as global benchmarks for pedestrian-friendly urban planning.
For Mains
Q. Examine how prioritizing pedestrian-centric urban planning can address issues of public health and social equity in rapidly urbanizing Indian cities.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Regulatory imbalance: Current Motor Vehicles Act prioritizes vehicular throughput over pedestrian safety and accessibility.
- Urban design friction: Conflict between existing high-density motorized infrastructure and the requirement for demarcated, safe footpaths.
- Social equity gap: Lack of walkable infrastructure disproportionately affects low-income commuters who rely on non-motorized transport.
Keywords: Right to Life · Urban Planning · Pedestrian Mobility · Public Space · Sustainable Urbanism
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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.