The Kerala High Court has directed the Kochi Corporation to ready a protocol on the upkeep of footpaths / pedestrian paths and to inform the court about it within a month.

Referring to the Supreme Court’s recent declaration that the right to safe pedestrian paths and footpaths is a fundamental right, a Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran said that one wonders whether such rights of the people of Kochi and in most other parts of the State are being protected at all.

The amici curiae — Vinod Bhat and S. Krishna — submitted that the condition of footpaths in the city was "nothing to speak of". The Corporation cannot remain mute even after the declaration by the Supreme Court on pedestrian rights, they said.

Seeking some time, the Corporation submitted that remedial measures would be taken, and that not enough priority was given to pedestrians in the past. The amici curiae intervened to say that though the general condition of city roads had improved, there were "patches and stretches" which required attention. Any delay in repairs would worsen their condition because of the monsoon.

The court said that it had propounded 'Operation Footpath' several years ago. But no palpable changes have been seen. Unfortunately, many footpaths are occupied by vehicles, including cars, two-wheelers, hawkers, and street vendors. As a consequence, pedestrians are forced to walk on the tarred carriageway of roads. They could thus even end up in accidents. This is more so in the case of people with visual impairments and physically disadvantaged persons. This must change, and must change fast, the court said.