In June 2026, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment in Maniyar Iliyaz @ Shaik Riyaz vs P. Ayyappan. The Court held that walking on demarcated footpaths is a fundamental right protected under Article 19(1)(d) and Article 21 of the Constitution. It directed all States and Union Territories to formulate policies for the provision, maintenance, and protection of footpaths.
Key Developments
- The judgment elevates footpaths from municipal after‑thoughts to a constitutional guarantee.
- States must now frame clear guidelines for footpath design, shading, lighting, and barrier‑free access.
- Encroachment control is mandated to be continuous, transparent, and backed by meaningful penalties.
- The decision links urban planning directly with public health and road‑safety outcomes.
- Citizens and resident welfare associations gain legal standing to demand encroachment‑free walkways.
Important Facts
- According to the WHO India Physical Activity Profile 2024, 49.4% of adults and 57.2% of women do not meet recommended activity levels.
- For children aged 11‑17, inactivity rises to 74%.
- The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways reported that pedestrians and two‑wheelers together caused about 1.28 lakh deaths in 2024.
- The NCRB recorded over 1.1 lakh fatalities among these groups in the same year.
- Safe footpaths can reduce sedentary lifestyles, curb metabolic diseases, and lower road‑traffic deaths.
Exam Relevance
The judgment touches multiple GS papers. For GS‑2 (Polity), it interprets fundamental rights and the role of the judiciary in expanding them. In GS‑3 (Economy & Health), the link between built environment, physical activity, and non‑communicable diseases is highlighted, echoing public‑health policy concerns. The data from WHO, MoRTH, and NCRB are useful for answer writing on health, urban planning, and road safety. The case also illustrates how judicial pronouncements can drive policy reforms, a recurring theme in ethics and governance questions.
Way Forward
- Launch a National Active‑Mobility Mission integrating health, transport, and urban planning.
- Mandate every road project to include continuous, shaded, well‑lit, and wheelchair‑friendly footpaths.
- Publish ward‑level footpath maps and conduct annual encroachment‑free audits.
- Introduce traffic‑calming measures and protected crossings near schools, hospitals, and markets.
- Encourage employers and doctors to promote walking as a preventive health measure.