Hyderabad: Telangana high court has ordered an immediate crackdown on encroachments on footpaths and streets across the twin cities, stressing the urgent need to ensure pedestrian safety and protect public spaces.Hearing a petition filed by senior citizens from different parts of the city, Justice NV Shravan Kumar directed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and the police to undertake a “grand clean-up operation” across Hyderabad and Secunderabad in coordination with all agencies concerned.Observing that pavements and roads have been extensively occupied by unauthorised shops, street vendors, and illegal parking, the court noted that pedestrians are increasingly being forced onto busy roads, exposing them to serious danger and disrupting the smooth movement of traffic and public transport. The court also directed civic and police authorities to install permanent protective fixtures after clearing encroachments to prevent footpaths from being occupied again in the future.In addition, strict action was ordered against illegal and irregular parking across the city, including vehicles parked on roads in residential areas. Authorities have been asked to submit a comprehensive status report before the next hearing scheduled for June 9. The petition was jointly filed by retired journalist B Surender, advocate Udaya Kumar Madishetty, and homemaker I Balamani, all senior citizens, who argued that the absence of usable pavements has made even basic movement within the city unsafe.They informed the court that pedestrians are often forced to walk on main roads merely to access public transport, including city buses, thereby endangering their lives and violating the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.Referring to earlier Supreme Court rulings, the petitioners contended that footpaths are meant exclusively for pedestrians and cannot be allowed to be occupied for commercial activity or unauthorised parking.In response, authorities submitted that joint enforcement drives are already being conducted by municipal and traffic police departments in compliance with earlier court directions issued in Feb 2026. Officials assured the court that steps are being taken to remove obstructions and preserve cleared pavements.Reviewing the submissions, the HC observed that unauthorised parking and pavement encroachments swallow up substantial portions of roads and walkways, severely reducing motorable space and creating major public inconvenience.The court further remarked that such conditions obstruct public transport operations and leave pedestrians, especially vulnerable groups, with no safe option except navigating dangerous traffic conditions.Emphasising the responsibility of the state to safeguard public infrastructure, the court directed authorities to ensure regular road maintenance and implement structural safeguards so that footpaths remain fully accessible and usable for pedestrians.
