Odisha Pedestrian Safety Rules, 2026 proposes pedestrian path mandatory

The Mohan Majhigovernment has come up with draft Odisha Pedestrian Safety Rules, 2026, proposing a pedestrian path mandatory for new and existing roads which will be upgraded or widened in the State.

The rules have prescribed action against the road owning agency, contractor or consultant if a faulty design is found to have caused death or disability or grievous injury of a pedestrians.

“All new road construction, widening, improvement, maintenance and upgradation works will include pedestrian and non-motorized transport (NMT) facilities at the design and detailed project report stage,” the draft rules say.

“Such facilities will not be omitted or diluted unless reasons are recorded in writing and approved by the competent authority,” the rules maintain.

“Continuous footpaths will be provided on both sides of urban arterial and sub-arterial roads, along high-footfall corridors, and on highways or major roads passing through inhabited or built-up areas, subject to site conditions and applicable standards,” the government proposes.

It says priority will be given to school zones, hospital zones, markets, bus stops, transit terminals, government offices, pilgrimage or tourist areas, industrial areas, high-crash locations and areas where pedestrian injuries or deaths have occurred during the preceding two to three years.

“Footpaths will form a continuous, connected and direct walking network and will be integrated with safe pedestrian crossings, bus stops, waiting areas, public transport facilities and adjoining land uses,” the rules elaborate.

“No motor vehicle will be driven, parked, stopped, stood, repaired, washed or otherwise permitted 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 competent authority through markings or signage,” the government makes it clear.

Violators will be punishable under the relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, including sections 177, 201, 210B and any other applicable provision, and the offending vehicle may be removed or towed in accordance with law.

Every implementing agency will conduct pedestrian infrastructure audits of roads under its jurisdiction.  

“Where failure of the responsible road owning agency, contractor, consultant or concessionaire to comply with road design, construction or maintenance standards is determined, after investigation, to have caused or contributed to the death or disability or grievous injury of a pedestrian or NMT user, action may be taken under section 198A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, contractual provisions, service rules and any other applicable law,” the rules prescribe.