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Odisha's New Pedestrian Safety Rules Make Dedicated Paths Mandatory
Odisha has proposed comprehensive pedestrian safety regulations for 2026 that will mandate dedicated pedestrian pathways on roads. The rules establish strict accountability for road authorities, contractors, and consultants whose design flaws result in pedestrian deaths or injuries.
LSN India ·
The Odisha Pedestrian Safety Rules, 2026 represent a significant step toward protecting vulnerable road users in the state. The proposed regulations make it mandatory for road authorities to provide dedicated pedestrian pathways as part of road infrastructure development and maintenance projects.
Under the new framework, road-owning agencies, contractors, and consulting firms face potential legal action if faulty design or poor implementation leads to pedestrian casualties or severe injuries. This accountability mechanism aims to ensure that pedestrian safety is prioritized at every stage of road planning, construction, and maintenance.
The rules seek to address the growing burden of pedestrian injuries and fatalities on Indian roads. By establishing clear responsibility for safety outcomes, the regulations intend to create stronger incentives for quality infrastructure design that adequately protects foot traffic.
The proposed rules reflect broader concerns about pedestrian safety across India's urban and semi-urban areas, where dedicated walking spaces remain inadequate in many regions. Implementation of these standards in Odisha could serve as a model for other states seeking to improve road safety outcomes for non-motorized users.