Toilets to be must at national highway fuel stations

NEW DELHI: Soon, petrol pumps along national highways (NHs) would have to ensure proper facilities for road users — including toilets and drinking water. Access to those petrol pumps found to be lacking such facilities will be be blocked.


The highways ministry is likely to issue the order next month when it holds a round of discussion with pump owners and oil companies.

A top ministry official said the move comes after it was found that a majority of the petrol pumps either have no facilities for public conveniences or the designated space are often found locked. It has also been receiving several complaints on these issues from highway users.

"We will first take up one highway stretch as a pilot project and we will check every petrol pump on that stretch to find whether facilities are provided. We will serve a notice to the pump owners to comply with the norms," said the highway ministry official.