Supreme Court Advocates Independent Regulator to Protect Pedestrians' Rights

The Supreme Court on Friday emphasized that the right to walk on designated footpaths is a fundamental right and called for the establishment of an independent regulatory body to ensure its effective implementation. A Bench comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice A.S. Chandurkar ruled that pedestrians' right to use footpaths should be given priority over the movement of motor vehicles. The court observed that citizens are entitled to seek remedial measures whenever this fundamental right is violated. The Bench stressed that creating a dedicated regulatory body is essential for strengthening and effectively enforcing the right to walk on designated footpaths. According to the court, such a regulator would function with continuity and permanence, enabling it to build and preserve institutional memory while working on the basis of accumulated experience, data, and information. The Supreme Court further noted that institutional expertise is vital for the success of such a regulatory mechanism. It said the proposed body should engage specialists and qualified human resources with expertise in the relevant field to carry out its responsibilities effectively. The court also underlined the importance of the regulator's independence, stating that it should function free from governmental or industrial control to ensure impartial decision-making and maintain institutional integrity. It added that transparency and accountability within the institution would naturally reinforce these principles. Highlighting the broader objective, the Bench observed that this approach is necessary to translate the fundamental right to walk into practical reality and ensure that pedestrians are able to exercise their rights safely and effectively.