Terming the access to proper, well-conditioned footpaths as a fundamental right of pedestrians, the Supreme Court has granted four weeks time to the Centre as the last opportunity to frame necessary guidelines on the matter.
Noting that the instant litigation had something to do with the safety of pedestrians, the Bench of Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan observed that if the Union government failed to frame the guidelines, this Court would do the needful with the assistance of the Counsel.
The Apex Court observed that proper footpaths were necessary for the use of citizens. They should be accessible and usable for persons with disability and the removal of encroachments on the footpath were mandatory, it added.
Appearing as Amicus Curiae, Senior Advocate Gaurav Agarwal submitted that the guidelines were yet to be framed by the Union government.
He said the Apex Court had set up a committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre, to monitor the implementation of various orders pertaining to road safety. Once the guidelines are framed, the committee may start monitoring its implementation to prevent pedestrian deaths.
Representing the Central government, Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee submitted that the Union government would frame guidelines in this regard.