The Supreme Court asked the Centre to identify a central authority responsible for ensuring that wherever there is a road, there is a footpath, while reviewing compliance with its June ruling recognising the right to walk on demarcated footpaths as a fundamental right.
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union of India to identify the authority that will be responsible for ensuring that every road has a footpath, and asked for five towns to be identified for a pilot project on footpaths [In Re: Right to Walk on Demarcated Footpaths].
A Bench of Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe asked Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, appearing for the Union, to take instructions and report on the authority concerned. The Court was reviewing compliance with its June 2026 judgment, which held that the right to walk includes the right to demarcated footpaths.
What the Bench said
Justice Narasimha emphasised the need for central planning, observing:
“First of all, there needs to be a centralised authority which will do the planning…The authority must have the space, infrastructure, human resources and funds.”
The direction
The Court’s order, as reported, records:
“We direct the Union of India to identify the authority which would be responsible for implementing the need for establishing the footpath…It is necessary that such an authority have all the wherewithal in terms of infrastructure, space, human resources, and funds available.”
ALSO READ: Citizen’s Right to Walk on Demarcated Footpaths Is a Fundamental Right: Supreme Court
Background: The June Footpath Ruling Of The Supreme Court
The hearing follows the Supreme Court’s June 2026 judgment, which, as reported, held that the right to walk is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(d), read with Article 19(1)(a), (b), (c) and Article 21 of the Constitution, and that it takes within its sweep the right to demarcated footpaths. The Court had said these rights have priority over movement by motorised vehicles, and that urban development authorities, municipal corporations, municipalities and panchayats are the duty bearers who must demarcate, construct and maintain footpaths.
The Court had also directed that copies of that judgment be sent to the Union Ministries concerned and to the Law Commission to consider a statutory framework identifying duty bearers and remedies for breach of the right.
Next hearing
The Bench directed the Union to identify five towns for a pilot initiative and listed the matter for further hearing after three weeks. The Union’s report on the responsible authority is awaited.
Case Details: In Re: Right to Walk on Demarcated Footpaths (compliance hearing) | Before: Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe | Date of hearing: October 5, 2026 | Next hearing: after three weeks
Appearance: Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj appeared for the Union of India.