Private Petrol Pump Toilets Not For Public Use, Says Kerala (Image: X/AdvkShreekanth)
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court has directed the state government and local bodies not to force private petrol pump owners to open their restrooms for unrestricted use by the general public.
The verdict was delivered by Justice C. S. Dias on Wednesday, following a writ petition filed by the Petroleum Traders Welfare and Legal Service Society along with five individual petroleum retailers.
The petition challenged the actions of several local self-government institutions, which had attempted to classify the restrooms located within privately owned fuel stations as public toilets under the ambit of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
The petitioners argued that the toilets at their fuel stations were intended only for the emergency use of customers who stop to refuel their vehicles, not for use by the wider public.
Also, read| New Highway Toll Policy May Introduce ₹3,000 Annual Pass For Unlimited Travel: All You Need To Know
They raised serious concerns about the increasing number of local authorities pasting “public toilet” signage on their premises, which they said was misleading and disruptive to business operations.
According to the petitioners, this has led to a sharp increase in footfall from the general public, including passengers from large tourist buses, demanding access to the washroom facilities.
This unexpected rush, they contended, has made it difficult to manage the space effectively and safely, especially given that petrol pumps are classified as high-risk zones due to the storage of flammable and hazardous materials.
The court accepted the petitioners’ concerns and observed that such enforced public access poses potential safety risks and operational challenges.
Also, read| Important Announcement On FASTag
Justice Dias emphasised that while the Swachh Bharat Mission promotes cleanliness and public hygiene, private property rights and safety norms must be respected.
This ruling marks a relief for private fuel station operators across Kerala, many of whom have been grappling with similar issues due to increasing pressure from local bodies.
