New Delhi, Aug. 4 -- The Supreme Court today granted the Union government a final four-week deadline to frame comprehensive guidelines aimed at ensuring the safety and accessibility of footpaths for pedestrians across the country.
The court made it clear that if the Centre fails to act within this time, it will intervene directly to do what is necessary with the assistance of legal counsel.
A bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan underscored that the issue goes to the heart of public safety and the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
"The instant litigation pertains to the safety of pedestrians," the court observed, adding that proper, obstruction-free footpaths are essent...