New Delhi, May 14 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed all states and union territories to frame guidelines to ensure proper footpaths for pedestrians calling it their constitutional right.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan observed in the absence of footpaths pedestrians were forced to walk on roads, making them vulnerable to risks and accidents.

Also Read | Fake Investment Schemes Busted in Delhi: Man Held for Investment Fraud of Over INR 9 Crore, Duped 14 Followers of Spiritual Leader.

"It is necessary to have proper footpaths for citizens. They should be such that they should be accessible for persons with disabilities and removal of encroachments is mandatory. This court has recognised that the right of pedestrians to use footpaths is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution," it said.

The top court added, "Right to have footpaths which are unobstructed is certainly an essential characteristic."

Also Read | Prisoner Swap at Wagah Border: Pakistan, India Exchange One Prisoner Each at Wagah-Attari Border; BSF Jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw Returns After 20 Days.

The bench, as a result, directed the Centre to place on record within two months its guidelines for protecting the rights of pedestrians.

Observing safety of pedestrians was of utmost importance, the apex court said footpaths ought to be constructed and maintained in a manner to also ensure accessibility to persons with disabilities.

The top court granted six months to the Centre on the point of constituting a National Road Safety Board and clarified no more time would be granted.

A plea in the court raised concerns on pedestrian safety, emphasising the lack of proper footpaths and encroachments on walkways.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)