Ensuring standards for pedestrian facilities and the procedural compliance of grievance redressal mechanisms by authorities.

JUDGMENT SYAM KUMAR V.M., J.

This writ petition has been filed by the petitioner primarily raising concerns regarding the pedestrians facilities alongside the roads and for ancillary reliefs, highlighting the shortcomings in maintaining the standards prescribed by the manual issued by the Indian Road congress. This Court, had through various interim orders passed from time to time, taken note of the compliances effected and, vide order dated 06.01.2026, in the context of the mobile application based grievance redressal mechanism of the NHAI, directed as follows:

“The learned Standing Counsel for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has tendered a memo indicating the publicity given to the mobile phone application developed by the NHAI regarding the shortfalls in maintaining the standards prescribed by the Indian Roads Congress. The learned counsel for the Petitioners in both the writ petitions point out that, certain aspects still need to be addressed. Firstly, the mobile application refers only to pedestrians and not to the condition of the road. Secondly, no methodology has been developed, or at least placed on record by the NHAI as to how the complaints lodged through the said application would be dealt with.

In respect of both these aspects, further clarification and action on the part of the NHAI are necessary. While the process of developing and making the application is not yet complete with regard to the issues raised by the Petitioners in their petitions, an inspection shall be carried out by the concerned officer of the NHAI with respect to the said issues and how the NHAI proposes to address each issue raised.”

2. Today, when the matter is taken up for consideration, the learned counsel appearing for the NHAI submits that the mobile app of NHAI is functional and that wide publicity had been given to the same on the NHAI’s official social media platforms as directed. As regards the other grievances raised in the WP(C), it is submitted that the same already stands addressed in the earlier interim directions issued in this WP(C). Neverthless, he submits that the NHAI is open to suggestions regarding the issues raised, and that if any grievances are outstanding, upon being brought to its notice, appropriate steps will be taken by the NHAI in the said respect.

3. The said submission on behalf of NHAI is recorded. In light of the orders rendered earlier in this WP(C) this writ petition is closed, reserving the right of the petitioner to approach this Court in case of any subsisting grievance.