Any steps taken to ensure obstacle-free footpaths, Kerala HC asks govt

Kochi: High court on Tuesday orally asked whether the state govt has taken any steps to ensure that pedestrians are not obstructed while using footpaths along the roads.HC raised the query after noticing a media report carrying a photograph depicting the difficulties faced by a visually impaired man as he attempted to navigate around a car illegally parked on the footpath.

It was also reported that the man, who was using a walking stick, was unable to proceed along the yellow tactile paving earmarked for visually impaired pedestrians. The bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and S Muralee Krishna orally observed that, in addition to taking measures to prevent public gatherings and protests from blocking public roads, the state must also address such illegal acts on footpaths.HC was considering a contempt petition filed by N Prakash of Maradu alleging that Thiruvananthapuram mayor V V Rajesh, along with other prominent persons, attended a public function on the Uppidamoodu-Thakaraparambu Road in Thiruvananthapuram city on June 5, in violation of a 2010 HC judgment prohibiting public meetings and protests on public roads and their margins.During the previous hearing, HC had directed the additional advocate general to produce a copy of the FIR registered at the Vanchiyoor police station in connection with the alleged incident. On Tuesday, the govt pleader informed court that a copy of the FIR was being placed on record. HC accordingly adjourned the petition to July 14.