Government must ensure every road has safe, clearly demarcated space for pedestrians
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union government to provide pedestrians with clearly demarcated footpaths exclusively for their use. A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe asked Additional Solicitor-General KM Nataraj, appearing for the Union government, to instruct the authorities concerned to ensure that the space meant for walking is not encroached upon and is properly separated from motor vehicle lanes. It gave the Centre two weeks to instruct the authorities while emphasising that pedestrians should have confidence that they can walk without any threat from moving vehicles. The matter is posted for further hearing after two weeks.
This is another case where the apex court has given a big relief to citizens. Most of our roads are without proper footpaths. In many of our towns, footpaths have been encroached upon and the municipalities have not been able to do much. In the coastal talukas of Goa, many villages are highly urbanised and the traffic on these roads is no different from that seen on some of our major district roads. To cater to increasing traffic or facilitate construction, roads are widened. But, on the same lines, how many villages think of pedestrians and morning and evening walkers? There are some exceptions, such as broad footpaths developed in Taleigao, Parra and Navelim.
On June 19, the SC declared the right to walk on demarcated and well-maintained footpaths a fundamental right. Many people, especially senior citizens, have given up walking as they run the risk of being fatally knocked down by speeding vehicles. In the first six months of this year, 18 pedestrians lost their lives in road accidents in Goa; several others may have suffered injuries.
The world over, citizens are told to exercise to keep healthy and keep lifestyle diseases such as fatty liver, which is on the rise in Goa, at bay. The Fit India Movement was launched in 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make fitness an integral part of daily life and combat rising lifestyle diseases. It is well known that walking improves physical health, boosts mental well-being and can help prevent chronic diseases. But if there are no joggers’ parks or open spaces to go for walks, what are people to do? Thanks to the Supreme Court for declaring the right to walk on demarcated and well-maintained footpaths a fundamental right.
It is not only a question of walkers but also of a general pedestrian who wants a safe footpath to walk to the grocery shop or even visit a co-villager. The government or other authorities may cite the financial cost of having such pedestrian-friendly footpaths. Interestingly, the apex court said on Monday: “Without any big investment and construction, just ensure that proper demarcation is done of walkers’ space. Wherever there is a road, there must be a walker’s space.”
More than 15 years have passed since the Corporation of the City of Panaji initiated NoMoZo. Awareness was created through some events on a Sunday, but it failed to receive support from the government. In other parts of the country, non-motorised transit zones have been created, such as Mall Road in Shimla, Matheran in Maharashtra, MG Road in Gangtok and Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi.
Several agencies may be involved, such as the Department of
Urban Development, Directorate of Panchayats, civic bodies and the PWD. The government will have to have a plan in place to ensure that the fundamental right is not violated. The government must remember that safe walking infrastructure directly supports Goa’s sustainable goals.
