DEMARCATED FOOT PATHS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT .

IN DETAIL - 

On May 14, 2026, the Supreme Court of India declared the right to walk on safe, demarcated footpaths a fundamental right under Article 21 - Right to Life, holding that life with dignity includes safe mobility and that citizens shouldn’t risk death just to walk to work or school. The ruling in Common Cause vs Union of India directed all states and municipalities to audit urban roads within 6 months and build or repair footpaths at least 1.8m wide on arterial roads by May 2027, free of encroachments, potholes, and obstacles, with ramps for disabled access and streetlights every 30m. The Court noted that ∼32,000 pedestrians die annually in India, mostly due to missing footpaths, and made municipal commissioners personally liable for contempt if directions are ignored, stating that lack of funds can’t be used as an excuse. This makes footpaths enforceable infrastructure, allowing citizens to file writ petitions and claim compensation if injured due to their absence.