Barriers in God's Own Country: How Palakkad's Footpath-Less Bridges Violate the Right to Free Movement under Article 19(1)(D)

Abstract

Note: This is a condensed/abridged version of a paper currently under peer review at [Indian Law Institute Law Review]. The full version will be made available upon acceptance.

A brief summary covering:  The issue (lack of footpaths on bridges in Palakkad – Palakkad District)  Its impact on citizens’ right to free movement, and violation of The Constitution of India Article 19(1)(d).  The primary objective of this paper is to critically examine how the absence of pedestrian footpaths on several bridges in Palakkad district, Kerala, infringes upon the constitutional right to free movement guaranteed under Article 19(1)(d) of the Indian Constitution. This study aims to establish that infrastructural neglect, particularly in pedestrian safety, is not merely an administrative failure but a constitutional violation that affects the daily lives and dignity of citizens. The paper also seeks to explore the broader legal implications of inadequate public infrastructure as a barrier to fundamental rights, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

Keywords: Palakkad, Right to Free Movement, Article 19, Infrastructure, Footpaths, The Constitution of India, Kerala, bridges, Palghat, Kerala