Supreme Court declares right to walk on footpath a fundamental right

In a landmark constitutional judgment, the Supreme Court has declared the right to walk on safe, demarcated footpaths as a fundamental right. This ruling emerges from Articles 19 (freedom of movement) and 21 (right to life) of the Constitution. The Court emphasized that walking powered India's freedom struggle, political movements, and social reforms yet remained unrecognized as fundamental. The judgment places binding duties on public authorities and central/state governments to prioritize pedestrian safety over motorists' convenience. With 36,500 deaths annually from pedestrian accidents in India, this ruling addresses a critical public health crisis. The Court directed the government to frame comprehensive legislation protecting pedestrians, ensuring proper footpath infrastructure, and enforcing safety standards. Background: India's road fatality rate is among world's highest; urban planning has systematically deprioritized pedestrian infrastructure. This judgment signals judicial intervention in urban governance and public safety standards. Exam angle: Expected questions on constitutional interpretation (Part III), state's duty to citizens, judicial activism in social rights, urban infrastructure governance, and right to life jurisprudence. Previous connections: Similar to Menoka Gandhi case (arbitrariness test) and environmental rights cases.