The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to
ensure that wherever there is a road, there is a properly demarcated,
encroachment-free space for pedestrians.
A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe
asked Additional Solicitor General K M Nararaj, appearing for the Centre, to
instruct the authorities concerned to make sure that the space meant for
walking is not encroached upon and is properly separated from motor vehicle
lanes.
"Without any big investment and construction,
just ensure that proper demarcation is done of walkers' space. Wherever there
is a road, there should be a walkers' space. Do it with a rope or anything and
ensure it is not encroached," the bench told Nataraj.
The bench gave him two weeks to instruct the
authorities while emphasising that pedestrians should have confidence that the
space is meant for them and they can walk freely without any threat of moving
vehicles.
The top court posted the matter for further hearing
after two weeks.
On June 19, in a significant verdict, the top court
had held that the right to walk on a demarcated footpath is a fundamental
right.
It had held that this right shall have priority over
motorised vehicles on demarcated paths and it forms part of the right to
movement guaranteed under Article 19 (1) (d) and other fundamental rights
including Article 21 (right to life and liberty).