The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun planning dedicated pedestrian paths along inhabited stretches of national highways, following a Supreme Court ruling affirming that access to footpaths is a constitutional right under Article 21.
The move comes amid growing concerns over pedestrian safety on high-speed corridors, particularly in hilly and densely populated areas. Among the first to see these changes is the Parwanoo-Kaithlighat section of National Highway-5 in Himachal Pradesh, a 61-km route passing through key residential and educational zones such as Jabli, Dharampur, Kandaghat, and Waknaghat. Localities along this stretch experience high foot traffic from students and workers, making pedestrian infrastructure a critical need. Anand Dahiya, Project Director of NHAI Shimla, confirmed that surveys are being undertaken to identify viable spaces for walkways, even in geographies with difficult terrain. He said pedestrian safety would remain a core criterion during implementation, with narrower paths being considered where space is limited.
The urgency of the decision is underscored by a fatal accident in March 2023 near Dharampur, where a speeding SUV killed five migrant labourers and injured four others. Officials believe that tragedies like this can be avoided with dedicated pedestrian routes. Although not originally included in the blueprint, 11 foot overbridges have already been built on the Parwanoo-Kaithlighat highway after post-construction safety reviews. Similar retrofitting is expected for upcoming projects. As NHAI expands other major highways—such as the Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh, Shimla-Mataur, Chandigarh-Manali, and Paonta Sahib-Shillai-Gumma routes—pedestrian-friendly provisions are now being integrated into design and execution stages.
The Supreme Court’s verdict has placed a renewed emphasis on inclusive road infrastructure, making it legally imperative for highway developers to accommodate non-motorised users. By translating this legal mandate into action, NHAI aims to reduce fatal accidents and ensure safer transit options for communities living along India’s growing network of highways.
