The Supreme Court of India recently declared the right to safe, unobstructed, and disabled-friendly footpaths a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. However, in Ludhiana, Punjab, this directive remains largely ignored. A significant number of footpaths across the city are illegally occupied by street vendors, commercial extensions, makeshift structures, and parked vehicles, leaving pedestrians with little choice but to walk on busy roads, exposing them to a high risk of accidents.
Widespread Encroachments Force Pedestrians onto Roads
At numerous locations, footpaths have been converted into parking spaces, with vehicles lined up end to end, leaving no room for pedestrians. Street vendors set up stalls on walkways, stacking shelves with eatables and bottled drinks, further reducing the available space. In some areas, permanent obstructions such as extended shopfronts and concrete structures have been built, undermining the very purpose of pedestrian pathways.
Harpreet Singh, a city resident, described the situation: "Walking here feels like an obstacle course. The footpath is meant for the people but it has become a marketplace." Another resident, Gurpreet Kaur, who frequently visits her son in Canada, drew a stark contrast: "In Toronto, I walk to do my daily errands with ease. There are wide pavements and no fear of traffic. In Ludhiana, I cannot even imagine walking for work. Footpaths are blocked and roads feel unsafe. It makes me miss the dignity of walking abroad."
Authorities Accused of Indifference Despite Top-Level Directives
Commuters and civic activists accuse the municipal authorities of apathy. A commuter near Model Town noted, "Walking on the road has become a compulsion, not a choice. Footpaths are either broken or occupied, and the authorities seem indifferent." The situation persists despite a recent directive from the Special Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab, who asked the Ludhiana police to take action against footpath encroachments. The Special DGP's order has not translated into visible improvement on the ground.
Supreme Court Ruling and Expert Warnings
The Supreme Court's ruling makes it mandatory for local bodies to construct, maintain, and clear walkways of encroachments. Experts warn that prioritising motorised traffic over pedestrian safety violates constitutional rights and worsens the road safety crisis. Civic activists argue that the ground reality in Ludhiana directly contradicts the apex court's directive.
Impact on Pedestrian Safety and Quality of Life
The lack of safe walkways forces pedestrians to share space with vehicles, leading to frequent near-misses and accidents. Residents like Gurpreet Kaur feel that the city's infrastructure denies them the basic dignity of walking safely. The situation is particularly challenging for the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities, who are most vulnerable when footpaths are obstructed.
According to traffic safety experts, the encroachment of footpaths not only violates fundamental rights but also contributes to traffic congestion and pollution, as pedestrians are pushed onto roads. A holistic approach involving enforcement, urban planning, and community awareness is needed to reclaim pedestrian spaces and ensure the right to walk safely for all citizens.
