Public can also use toilets at petrol pumps; Kerala High Court reverses order

KOCHI: In a major decision, the High Court reversed its order, allowing the public to access toilets in petrol pumps when in need. The High Court revised its interim order that prohibited the public from accessing the toilets in the pump. The court earlier ruled that the toilets in petrol pumps were exclusive only to customers and staff.

In the revised order, the High Court clarified that all petrol pumps, including those near the national highway, should be open to the public 24 hours a day.

The public should be allowed access to toilets at petrol pumps, just like customers. The order applies to retail outlets across the state. No one should be denied entry for not being a customer. However, the court order also states that entry should not be allowed during security emergencies.

Justice C.S. Dias today amended the order on a writ petition filed by the Petroleum Traders Welfare and Legal Services Society and five petroleum retailers challenging the efforts of the state government and local bodies to convert toilets at pumps into public toilets.

The court amended the order after the state government submitted the guidelines issued in 2020 by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.