KARIMNAGAR, OCTOBER 31, 2026: Even as the Supreme Court of India has declared the Right to Walk on a safe, demarcated footpath a fundamental right under the Constitution, the Municipal and Traffic police authorities are vehemently flouting the orders and encouraging the encroachment of footpaths and causing lots of woes to the pedestrians and other road-users.
The Municipal Corporation of Karimnagar (MCK), instead of providing free parking to the vehicle owners at the busy Tower Circle area, has introduced parking fees at the newly inaugurated Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns (IDSMT) shopping complex constructed on the premises of the old Municipal guest house in the heart of Karimnagar town in front of Collector’s camp office.
Ironically, the Traffic police had erected several signboards instructing the vehicle owners to park their vehicles at the IDSMT complex by paying a premium to avoid e—challans for illegal parking on the roads. On the other hand, the same Traffic police and MCK authorities remain mute spectators when the traders encroach on the footpaths by erecting shelters to sell their products.
What is the meaning of constructing a paid parking complex and encouraging the encroachment of footpaths in front of the complex and causing traffic woes, asks a leader of Lok Satta Udyama Samtha district unit. If the encroachers are given a free hand to encroach footpaths, denying pedestrians the ability to walk, why don’t the authorities ensure free parking facilities at the IDSMT complex, he questioned.
He said that all the traffic woes in Karimnagar town started due to unscientific execution of Smart City Project wherein the broad roads were converted into narrow ones without parking place at the busy Tower Circle area in the name of ‘Amritsar model’. The construction of footpaths as part of Smart City was only meant for encroachment by the traders and cause nuisance, he added.
Similarly, around Ambedkar stadium in Karimnagar town where the authorities had taken up double road with central lighting some three decades ago. But in the name of Smart City project, it was converted into a single lane road and the footpath and parking space was allowed for encroachment by traders and eateries. Shockingly, the traders even encroach road and cause traffic snarls during evening hours. There are several footpaths which are permanently encroached by traders and even migrant laboures by converting them as their shelters.
But, the MCK and Traffic police remain a mute spectators. However, the Traffic police are in imposing e-challans for no helmets, no-parking, wrong side driving etc. But, the Traffic police do not take any action against the footpath encroachers even after Supreme Court giving clear instructions to the government.
THE Supreme Court’s declaration that the right to walk on a safe, demarcated footpath is a fundamental right is a welcome reminder of a truth Indian cities have long ignored: roads are meant for people, not merely vehicles.
By linking pedestrian rights to the constitutional guarantees of life, liberty and freedom of movement, the court has elevated a basic civic necessity into a matter of public accountability. For millions of Indians, walking is not a lifestyle choice but a daily necessity. Children going to school, elderly citizens visiting markets, workers commuting short distances and persons with disabilities all depend on safe pedestrian infrastructure. Yet footpaths are routinely encroached upon by vendors, parked vehicles and construction debris. In many places, pedestrians are forced onto busy roads, exposing them to serious risks.
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