Odisha drafts pedestrian safety rules, makes footpaths mandatory on roads
Odisha's draft pedestrian safety rules would make footpaths and NMT facilities mandatory in all road projects and allow action against agencies whose faulty designs cause pedestrian deaths or injuries.
The Odisha government has prepared draft Odisha Pedestrian Safety Rules, 2026, which propose making pedestrian pathways a mandatory element of road projects across the State. Under the draft, pedestrian and non-motorized transport (NMT) facilities are to be built into the design and detailed project report stage of all new construction, widening, improvement, maintenance and upgradation work.
The rules state that such facilities cannot be dropped or diluted unless the reasons are recorded in writing and cleared by the competent authority.
Continuous footpaths are proposed on both sides of urban arterial and sub-arterial roads, along corridors with heavy pedestrian movement, and on highways or major roads that pass through inhabited or built-up areas, subject to site conditions and applicable standards.
Priority is to be given to school zones, hospital zones, markets, bus stops, transit terminals, government offices, pilgrimage and tourist areas, industrial areas, high-crash locations, and places where pedestrian injuries or deaths have been recorded in the preceding two to three years.
Footpaths are to form a continuous, connected and direct walking network, integrated with safe pedestrian crossings, bus stops, waiting areas, public transport facilities and adjoining land uses.
The draft bars motor vehicles from being driven, parked, stopped, stood, repaired, washed or otherwise allowed to obstruct or move upon any footpath, pedestrian zone, pedestrian crossing, kerb ramp, pedestrian refuge, cycle track or shared path, except in areas specifically designated by the competent authority through markings or signage.
Violations would attract punishment under the relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, including sections 177, 201 and 210B, along with any other applicable provision, and the offending vehicle may be removed or towed as per law.
Every implementing agency is to carry out pedestrian infrastructure audits of the roads under its jurisdiction.
The rules also provide for action against a road owning agency, contractor, consultant or concessionaire where an investigation finds that failure to comply with road design, construction or maintenance standards caused or contributed to the death, disability or grievous injury of a pedestrian or NMT user. Such action may be taken under section 198A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, contractual provisions, service rules and any other applicable law.