SC Flags Lack Of Pedestrian Crossing Near Delhi HC, Orders Nationwide Road Safety Measures

The Supreme Court on Tuesday raised concerns over the absence of a pedestrian crossing near the Delhi High Court and the National Zoological Garden on Mathura Road, Delhi.

The court called the situation as a major safety lapse that endangers thousands of pedestrians who cross the busy road daily without traffic signals, foot overbridges, or any traffic calming measures.

A Bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other road-owning agencies to prepare an action plan. This includes conducting a phase-wise survey across major Indian cities to identify locations that require additional pedestrian crossings, LiveLaw reported.

The court pointed out, “One can give the

example of the road crossing at the Delhi High Court and the National Zoological Garden on Mathura Road where every day thousands of employees, litigants, lawyers, children, and families cross the road, without any red light or foot overbridge or any traffic calming measure, putting their lives at risk.”

The top court made these observations while hearing a 2012 petition seeking comprehensive road safety reforms. It directed that, within the next year, at least 20 percent of roads in the 50 cities named in the 2023 Road Accidents Report be surveyed to assess the requirement for pedestrian crossings.

The Bench instructed the NHAI and road-owning agencies to prioritise crowded streets and locations with high accident data. “We direct that first priority be given to the road crossing at the Delhi High Court and the National Zoological Garden on the Mathura Road. Let the needful be done at the earliest and the work be completed within seven months from today,” the court said.

In addition, the Supreme Court directed all states and Union Territories to frame road safety rules within six months. The new rules should regulate the movement of non-motorised vehicles and pedestrians in public spaces under Sections 138(1A) and 210D of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The Bench emphasised, “We direct all the states and UTs to formulate rules under Section 138(1A) of the Motor Vehicles Act within a period of six months, if not already framed, for the purpose of regulating activities and access of non-mechanical propelled vehicles and pedestrians to public places and national highways.”

“We direct all the states and UTs to formulate and notify rules under Section 210D of the Act within a period of six months, if not already framed, for design, construction and maintenance of standards for roads other than national highways,” the bench added.

(With inputs from agencies)