Pedestrian safety, accessibility and walkability should be treated as core planning principles in Mangaluru’s upcoming master plan, a Dakshina Kannada MP has urged in a representation to the state government.

The representation, addressed to Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister D K Shivakumar, as well as the Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner and the commissioner of the Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), highlights the need for a people-centric approach to urban development as the city continues to expand.

Referring to a recent Supreme Court judgment that recognised the right to walk safely on designated footpaths as a fundamental right, the MP stressed that planning authorities and civic bodies have a responsibility to create and maintain adequate pedestrian infrastructure.

The letter noted that the new master plan offers a crucial opportunity to shape Mangaluru’s growth for the coming decades and ensure that the needs of pedestrians are not overlooked.

“With a large number of students, senior citizens, workers and daily commuters depending on walking as part of their everyday travel, safe, continuous and accessible pedestrian infrastructure has become increasingly important amid rapid urban expansion and rising traffic volumes,” the representation stated.

Among the key recommendations was the inclusion of a comprehensive pedestrian mobility framework within the master plan. Suggested measures include uninterrupted and obstruction-free footpaths, safe pedestrian crossings near schools, colleges, hospitals, markets and transport hubs, adoption of universal accessibility standards, seamless integration with public transport networks, and strict measures to prevent encroachments and illegal vehicle parking on footpaths.

The MP also called for a city-wide Pedestrian Infrastructure and Walkability Audit before the master plan is finalised, arguing that such an exercise would help identify existing gaps and guide evidence-based planning decisions.

Expressing willingness to participate in the initiative, the MP said he would be glad to join the district administration, MUDA and other stakeholders in undertaking the audit so that pedestrian challenges can be assessed on the ground and addressed through informed urban planning interventions.