The Supreme Court has ruled that safe, walkable footpaths on public roads are not a discretionary civic amenity but a constitutional necessity, directing road-building and municipal authorities to build and maintain footpaths on all public roads. The Court's observation responds to the everyday reality of millions of Indians who walk to work, school or markets on roads lacking footpaths, forced to share tarmac with speeding traffic.
The ruling anchors pedestrian safety in Article 21's right to life and personal liberty, expanding this right beyond mere survival to include the conditions necessary for safe daily life. By recasting footpath provision as a constitutional obligation rather than a budgetary or planning choice, the Court has strengthened citizens' ability to demand accountability from municipal and road authorities, reinforcing Article 21's role as a source of expansive socio-economic entitlements.
For exam purposes, remember: Right to Life (Article 21) now explicitly covers safe pedestrian infrastructure/footpaths; this reflects the judiciary's continuing expansion of Article 21 to civic and urban governance issues, converting municipal duties into enforceable fundamental rights.