Kochi: The Kerala High Court division bench has ruled that toilets at petrol pumps along national highways need only be kept open during working hours. This decision overturns an earlier single bench order that had directed 24-hour access to these facilities.

Petrol pump owners had strongly objected to non-customers using the toilets, prompting legal intervention.

The Single Bench of Justice C S Dias had previously ordered that toilets at highway-side pumps be made accessible to the general public at all times, including a specific directive for round-the-clock availability. The division bench has now revised that ruling, stating that access during operational hours is sufficient.