Full Breakdown
Supreme Court Threatens Dhara Over Pedestrian Crossing Near Delhi High Court
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Court’s Warning and Deadline
A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India, Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Vinod Chandran, warned the Union government that the dangerous pedestrian crossing on Mathura Road outside the Delhi High Court must be completed before the next hearing. The bench said that if the work is not finished by November 25, the judges would stage a dharna at the High Court’s main gate and would not leave until the construction is done. The court also indicated that the Delhi chief secretary could be summoned in person if the deadline is missed.
Background: Pedestrian Rights and Prior Directions
The Supreme Court has held that safe footpaths are a fundamental right. Article 21 guarantees the right to life, while Article 19(1)(d) secures freedom of movement. Earlier orders directed all states and Union Territories to provide clearly marked footpaths free of encroachments and to treat pedestrian infrastructure as a mandatory component of road projects. The present hearing focused on the crossing that serves thousands of lawyers, litigants and school-going children daily at the Delhi High Court junction and near the National Zoological Park.
Data on the Crossing
- Safety concerns: The crossing lacks engineered footpaths, anti-skid surfaces, ramps and wheelchair-accessible facilities, contrary to Indian Roads Congress (IRC 103:2022) standards.
Official Statements & Responses
The bench questioned the bureaucratic delay, asking why a high-level committee was needed when engineers could address the problem. It suggested involving amicus curiae Gaurav Agarwal to identify the exact technical issues.
Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee replied that a committee, formed after “high-level discussions,” was actively examining the matter and would propose a solution, but the Court expressed impatience with further postponements.
The Supreme Court also ordered the Centre to establish a central authority to monitor compliance with its pedestrian-safety directives and called for regular safety audits of footpaths on national highways.
Verbatim Quote
- “If you don't do it before the next date, both of us will be at the main gate of the Delhi High Court, and we will not go home until you complete the work. That's for sure. Baith jaayenge wahan dharna karne ke liye….” — Court
What’s Next
- Deadline: Construction of a concrete pedestrian crossing must be completed by November 25.
- Potential dharna: If the deadline passes without completion, the two judges have pledged to remain at the High Court gate in a sit-in protest.
- Possible summons: The Delhi chief secretary may be required to appear before the bench to explain the delay.