Andhra Pradesh Notifies Pedestrian Safety Policy

Andhra Pradesh notified the Pedestrian Safety and Universal Accessibility Policy, 2026 on 7 August 2026 after cabinet approval on 6 August 2026. The policy combines pedestrian safety, universal design, and statutory accountability in a statewide framework for roads, footpaths, and public spaces.

Policy framework and scope

The policy applies to urban areas, rural stretches, satellite towns, and urban fringes in Andhra Pradesh. It directs municipal authorities, revenue officials, and state police to work together on hurdle-free footpaths and related infrastructure.

Supreme Court link and Article 21

The policy implements directions linked to the Supreme Court of India’s ruling in S. Rajaseekaran vs Union of India dated 7 October 2025. The ruling recognised safe and obstruction-free footpaths as part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Road safety data and design standards

India recorded 1,72,890 road accident deaths in 2023, and pedestrian fatalities numbered 35,221 in the same year. The policy requires future and retrofitted pedestrian infrastructure to include a minimum two-metre clear walking zone, slip-resistant surfaces, tactile indicators, wheelchair ramps, Braille, and audible signals.

Important Facts for Exams

• Andhra Pradesh became the first state in India to notify an integrated statewide framework for pedestrian safety and universal accessibility.
• The policy prioritises 15 to 20 high-fatality blackspots using historic accident data.
• It mandates road-safety audits covering at least 20% of the state’s roads in the first year.
• Article 21 of the Constitution of India protects the Right to Life and has been used in road safety jurisprudence.

Accessibility features in public infrastructure

Universal accessibility standards in the policy include tactile indicators for persons with visual impairment and wheelchair ramps for persons with reduced mobility. The framework also requires audible signals and Braille in pedestrian infrastructure.