Tejasvi Surya demands Karnataka table Active Mobility Bill after Supreme Court footpath ruling
Synopsis
The Supreme Court has declared safe footpath access a Fundamental Right — and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya is using that ruling to corner the Karnataka government. He is demanding the state table the Active Mobility Bill 2022, a BJP-era legislation that has sat idle under the current Congress administration, even as Bengaluru's pavements remain encroached and unsafe for millions of daily pedestrians.
Key Takeaways
Tejasvi Surya , Bengaluru South MP, on 20 June demanded Karnataka immediately table the Karnataka Active Mobility Bill, 2022 .
The Supreme Court declared the right to walk on safe, unobstructed footpaths a Fundamental Right under Articles 19(1)(d) and 21 of the Constitution.
The court ruled that pedestrian rights override motorised vehicle movement and that authorities have an enforceable duty to build and maintain footpaths.
Surya described Bengaluru's footpaths as inadequate, poorly maintained, encroached upon, and unsafe.
He appealed directly to Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda to prioritise pedestrian infrastructure.
The Active Mobility Bill was introduced by the previous BJP -led Karnataka government and has not been tabled by the current Congress administration.
Bengaluru South MP and Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) President Tejasvi Surya on Saturday, 20 June urged the Karnataka state government to immediately table and implement the Karnataka Active Mobility Bill, 2022, in the wake of the Supreme Court's landmark declaration that the right to walk on a footpath is a Fundamental Right under the Constitution. Surya called the apex court's ruling a 'much-needed step' and pressed urban local bodies to take concrete, enforceable action.
The Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court ruled that the right to walk on safe, demarcated, and unobstructed footpaths is guaranteed under Article 19(1)(d) (Right to Movement) and Article 21 (Right to Life) of the Indian Constitution. The court held that this right overrides the movement of motorised vehicles and that authorities carry an enforceable duty to construct and maintain pedestrian pathways. In its ruling, the court stated plainly: 'cities are for people, not just vehicles.'
Why Surya Is Pressing for the Bill Now
Surya pointed out that the Karnataka Active Mobility Bill, 2022 — introduced during the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government — had already garnered widespread public support but has yet to be tabled by the current administration. He argued that the Supreme Court's constitutional framing now makes implementation not merely desirable but legally obligatory. The MP stressed that further delay would be inconsistent with the court's directive.
Ground Reality: Bengaluru's Footpath Crisis
Surya painted a stark picture of pedestrian infrastructure in Bengaluru, describing the city's footpaths as inadequate, poorly maintained, encroached upon, and unsafe. He noted that the absence of walkable infrastructure directly affects the daily lives of millions of residents across the city. This comes amid longstanding complaints from urban mobility advocates who have documented widespread encroachment of pavements by vendors, parked vehicles, and construction debris across the city's major corridors.
Call to the Development Minister
Surya specifically appealed to Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda to prioritise walkability and drive the creation of safe, accessible footpaths across the city. He argued that strengthening pedestrian infrastructure is essential for building a more inclusive, sustainable, and commuter-friendly urban environment in the state capital. The appeal places the onus directly on the ruling Indian National Congress (Congress) government in Karnataka to act on legislation it inherited but has not yet advanced.
What Happens Next
The pressure on the Karnataka government is now two-pronged — a constitutional mandate from the Supreme Court and a political push from the BJP opposition. Whether the Congress administration tables the Active Mobility Bill in the next legislative session will be closely watched by urban planners, civil society groups, and Bengaluru's estimated 1.4 crore residents who navigate the city daily.
Point of View
A neat reversal that lets the opposition claim both the policy win and the moral high ground on urban livability. The Congress faces a genuine bind: shelving the bill risks being seen as defying a Supreme Court directive; tabling it means handing the BJP a visible victory. What gets lost in that political crossfire is the actual crisis on Bengaluru's streets, where encroached and broken footpaths have long made walking a hazard rather than a right. The court's ruling should be the catalyst — but without a funded, time-bound implementation plan, it risks becoming another headline without a footpath.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Karnataka Active Mobility Bill, 2022?
The Karnataka Active Mobility Bill, 2022 is a legislation introduced by the previous BJP-led Karnataka government to improve pedestrian and non-motorised transport infrastructure across the state. It has not yet been tabled or implemented by the current Congress administration.
What did the Supreme Court rule about footpaths?
The Supreme Court declared that the right to walk on safe, demarcated, and unobstructed footpaths is a Fundamental Right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(d) and Article 21 of the Constitution. The court held that this right overrides motorised vehicle movement and that authorities have an enforceable duty to build and maintain footpaths.
Why is Tejasvi Surya demanding action now?
Surya is using the Supreme Court's ruling as constitutional backing to pressure the Karnataka government into tabling the Active Mobility Bill, 2022. He argues that the apex court's directive makes implementation legally obligatory and that further delay is untenable given Bengaluru's poor pedestrian infrastructure.
What is the current state of Bengaluru's footpaths?
According to Surya, Bengaluru's footpaths are inadequate, poorly maintained, encroached upon, and unsafe for pedestrians. Urban mobility advocates have similarly documented widespread encroachment by vendors, parked vehicles, and construction material across the city's major corridors.
Who did Surya specifically appeal to for action?
Surya directly appealed to Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda to prioritise walkability and ensure the development of safe, accessible footpaths across Bengaluru.
