LUCKNOW, Feb. 24 -- Pedestrians in the state capital continue to risk their lives, treading on the path of speeding traffic as footpaths have either vanished or are omitted entirely from new road plans. Despite crores spent on road widening, flyovers and beautification projects, authorities have failed to secure or even provide dedicated pedestrian pathways on multiple key stretches. The right to walk safely on unobstructed and accessible pathways falls under Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the Right to Life. Yet on the ground, this right remains largely unprotected. A ground inspection by Hindustan Times on Monday found that while vendors and illegal parking have taken over some footpaths, other newly developed roads do not have any pedestrian provision at all. Visits to different stretches revealed the risks those on foot face. On the stretch from Polytechnic crossing to the Munshipulia Metro station, pedestrians were seen walking on the road as many shopkeepers had extended their wares on to the pathways, leaving no safe passage. The condition was similar across the entire 2 km stretch up to the Metro station where no designated space was available for pedestrians to commute. Rishi Saini, a commuter walking towards the Munshipulia Metro station, alleged that departments concerned have not taken action against people violating norms, specially vendors and shopkeepers. Similarly, on another 1.6-km route from Munshipulia intersection towards Sector 25 in Indira Nagar, where authorities recently inaugurated a flyover and upgraded road infrastructure, no dedicated footpath was constructed along major portions of the stretch, forcing pedestrians to travel on the road. The only option for pedestrians is to walk on the service lane, which also experiences high-speed vehicles. Elderly residents, women and schoolchildren navigate traffic without designated walking space. Commuters say the absence of pedestrian infrastructure reflects poor urban planning, where vehicular mobility receives priority over basic walking rights. Footpaths on the 1.1-km stretch from Hazratganj crossing to the Jahangirabad Palace road, are encroached at many places by parked two-wheelers and makeshift carts selling chaat, bhelpuri and ice cream. Wnforcement teams have not sustained action against encroachers. On the 1.6-km stretch connecting Hazratganj, Shahnajaf Road and Naval Kishore Road, vendors operate from footpaths. Despite two private schools falling along this route, authorities haven't cleared encroachments. As a result, students walk on the road due to blocked pathways. Around 600 m of the stretch, starting from the Bapu Bhawan to Burlington crossing, florists and cart vendors have taken over footpaths. Despite traffic jams here, there is no resolution to remove encroachments. An executive engineer revealed that pedestrian safety forms the foundation of sustainable city planning. However, authorities have constructed wide roads and flyovers without integrating footpath continuity in several newly developed areas. The 3.9-km stretch from Lohia intersection to Kalidas Marg intersection has the safest footpaths because it is elevated 2 feet from the road level. They are walkable as authorities remove encroachments here. Similarly, the 1.3-km stretch from the UP Urdu Academy in Vibhuti Khand to the Shaheed Path underpass has no footpath. Divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant said he would direct the LMC to examine the issue. When contacted, municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar said sudden action cannot be taken against the decades-old temporary shops on footpaths. However, if the issue is highlighted, action will be taken and the footpaths will be cleared, he added....