Overview

• The Supreme Court has affirmed that unobstructed and disability-accessible footpaths are a constitutional right under Article 21, ensuring pedestrian safety and dignity.
• States and Union Territories have been given two months to develop comprehensive guidelines for proper footpaths, addressing accessibility and encroachment issues.
• The Centre must submit national pedestrian safety guidelines within two months and establish a National Road Safety Board within six months, with no extensions allowed.
• The absence of proper footpaths, forcing pedestrians onto roads, was identified as a significant factor in road accidents and public safety risks.
• The directive builds on the Court's prior recognition of the 'golden hour' principle, emphasizing the government's duty to protect lives through infrastructure and emergency care reforms.