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Odisha Draft Pedestrian Safety Rules 2026 Mandates Footpaths and Penalizes Faulty Designs

25 September 2026
4 min read
The Odisha government has introduced the draft Pedestrian Safety Rules, 2026, making pedestrian pathways mandatory for new and upgraded roads across the State. The framework prescribes strict action against road-owning agencies, contractors, or consultants if faulty designs lead to pedestrian casualties or injuries.

Key Highlights

  • The draft Odisha Pedestrian Safety Rules, 2026 mandates continuous footpaths and non-motorized transport facilities for all new road constructions and major upgrades.
  • Strict penal action is prescribed for road-owning agencies, contractors, and consultants if pedestrian deaths or injuries occur due to faulty engineering designs.
  • Omission or dilution of these pedestrian facilities requires written justification and prior approval from a competent authority.
  • High priority is designated for school zones, hospital areas, markets, transit terminals, and accident-prone corridors.

Exam Quick Facts

Nodal Ministry / Dept

Government of Odisha (Transport / Works Department)

Key Bodies

State Road Owning Agencies, Road Contractors and Consultants

Constitutional & Legal Context

Draft State-level safety regulations under regional transport and road development guidelines.

Static GK Connection

Odisha Capital: Bhubaneswar; Chief Minister: Mohan Charan Majhi.

Daily Practice MCQs

Multi-tier exam practice questions tailored for SSC, Banking, and State/Civil Services

2 Questions
Level 1: Direct Factual (SSC / Railways)

Q1.Consider the following statements regarding the draft Odisha Pedestrian Safety Rules, 2026: 1. It proposes making pedestrian paths and non-motorized transport facilities mandatory for all new and upgraded roads in the State. 2. The rules prescribe legal action against road agencies and contractors only if pedestrian deaths occur, exempting cases of grievous injuries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Level 2: Conceptual Bridge (Banking / State PSC)

Q2.Under the draft Odisha Pedestrian Safety Rules, 2026, which of the following areas are designated to receive the highest priority for pedestrian infrastructure?