Toilets at petrol pumps need not be available 24 hours; Division Bench modifies earlier order

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court Division Bench has ruled that toilets at petrol pumps along national highways need to remain open only during the outlets’ working hours. The ruling corrected an earlier order by a Single Bench, which had directed that the facilities should remain open 24 hours a day. The verdict came in response to appeals filed by petrol pump owners.

The Single Bench had previously ordered that toilets at petrol pumps must be accessible to the general public, not just to customers, and further mandated that they remain open round the clock. However, the Division Bench clarified that the facilities are required to be available only during the pumps’ operational hours.

The matter of toilet access at petrol pumps has been under judicial consideration for some time. Initially, the court had limited usage to customers alone. This was later expanded to allow all travellers access. Petrol pump owners challenged this expanded directive, leading to the Division Bench’s latest ruling.