Public Restrooms at Petrol Stations Prohibited for Public Use per Kerala Court Order
Thiruvananthapuram's Petrol Pump Toilets Off-Limits to Public, Says Court
In a surprising turn of events, the Kerala High Court has decided that toilets at petrol pumps in Thiruvananthapuram aren't intended for general use. Justice C S Dias made this ruling following a petition by an association of petroleum traders and several pump owners who were against the classification of these toilets as public facilities by the state government and local bodies.
The petitioners, including the Petroleum Traders Welfare and Legal Service Society, argued that the private toilets in their establishments are intended for emergency needs of customers and not for public use. Agreeing with their stance, the court issued an interim order, asking the state government and the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation to refrain from insisting that the washrooms in petrol station outlets be accessible to the public.
The court's decision stems from concerns about overcrowding, potential altercations, and safety risks in a fuel handling environment. Petroleum pump owners also brought up the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) guidelines, stating that these don't legally authorize the transformation of private petrol pump toilets into public facilities.
With this decision, the general public is currently not allowed to use petrol pump toilets in Kerala, as per the interim order. The case will continue to be heard on July 17, 2025. So next time you're in Thiruvananthapuram, remember that the petrol pump's bathroom is off-limits unless you're refueling your vehicle. But hey, there's always that Starbucks down the street! ☕️
(A slightly rephrased article based on a syndicated feed. Original source not altered.)
In light of the court's ruling, petrol pump toilets in Thiruvananthapuram are no longer considered public facilities, as they serve emergency needs of customers rather than general use. This decision was made due to concerns about safety risks and overcrowding, also taking into account the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) guidelines that do not authorize the transformation of private petrol pump toilets into public facilities.
