Srinagar, June 7: Footpaths in many urban areas are increasingly losing their primary purpose of serving pedestrians, as growing encroachments and misuse continue to shrink safe walking space, raising concerns over urban planning, civic discipline and public safety.

Ideally meant for pedestrians to walk safely, access bus stops, use designated crossings, or take brief rest during travel, footpaths are instead being increasingly occupied and misused, leaving little space for their intended function.
In several areas, footpaths have effectively turned into extensions of commercial establishments, with shopkeepers displaying merchandise outside their premises, significantly reducing walking space for pedestrians. This often forces people onto main roads, increasing the risk of accidents and traffic disruption.
Street vending has also expanded onto pedestrian pathways in many locations, with makeshift stalls and food carts occupying large portions of footpaths. While providing livelihood opportunities for some, this has contributed to congestion and further limited free movement for pedestrians.
Residents also point to misuse of footpaths for parking, storage, and other non-pedestrian activities, including temporary dumping of goods, drying of agricultural produce, and disposal of waste in some areas. Such practices undermine the basic purpose of pedestrian infrastructure.
Traffic experts and citizens alike argue that the lack of enforcement has allowed gradual normalization of these encroachments, turning public walking spaces into crowded, obstructed zones. As a result, pedestrians are often forced to walk on busy roads, exposing them to safety hazards and slowing vehicular movement.
Urban observers stress that footpaths are essential for ensuring safe mobility, especially for children, elderly citizens and daily commuters. They argue that restoring these spaces to their intended purpose requires stricter enforcement, civic awareness and responsible use of public infrastructure.
The growing concern highlights a broader challenge of balancing livelihood activities, urban space management and civic discipline, with calls for renewed attention to pedestrian rights and sustainable city planning.