India, May 14 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed states to show their readiness in protecting the lives of pedestrians walking on streets by ensuring unobstructed, disabled-friendly footpaths and footways and submit a policy in this regard within two months.

A bench headed by justice Abhay S Oka passed the order directing each state and union territory to prepare guidelines in this regard, observing that safety of pedestrians is of utmost importance.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on road safety filed by Hemant Jain, which highlighted rise in pedestrian deaths in road accidents due to absence of footpaths along roads. It said encroachment of these spaces forces pedestrians to risk lives by walking on st...