Land needed for a petrol pump: size, lease and distance rules

Short answer

On a national highway the minimum plot is 35 m by 35 m on a rural stretch, 30 m by 30 m on an urban stretch and 20 m by 20 m in hilly terrain MoRTH norms 26 Jun 2020. Elsewhere each oil company advertisement states the size for its location, and the land must be owned or leased for at least 19 years 11 months, or as advertised Selection brochure June 2023, cl.4(vi), cl.24. A new outlet must also keep 50 m from schools, hospitals and designated residential areas; if that is not possible, PESO's extra safety measures are needed, and never under 30 m CPCB guidelines 7 Jan 2020.

MDG Services makes Dealer Kavach, an app for petrol pump dealers, so this page comes from the maker of a product it may mention. It is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, fees and guidelines change and differ by oil company and state: every fact here names its source and the date we checked it, so confirm it with the oil company or the authority before you act. We do not sell, allot or arrange dealerships or licences.

Facts checked on 9 November 2026. Published by MDG Services on 9 November 2026.

The land a petrol pump needs depends on where it is. National highways have one national table; for other roads, start with each oil company advertisement. Facts are as on 9 November 2026.

How big must the plot be?

National highway	Minimum frontage by depth
Rural stretch, plain or rolling terrain	35 m by 35 m
Urban stretch (town of 20,000 or more), plain or rolling terrain	30 m by 30 m
Hilly or mountainous terrain	20 m by 20 m

These are MoRTH norms of 26 June 2020 MoRTH norms 26 Jun 2020. MoRTH later allowed 20 m by 20 m for urban plots bought under the older norm MoRTH letter 28 Jan 2021. Check MoRTH's circulars page for anything newer.

On other roads, each advertisement lists the minimum frontage, depth and area for each location Selection brochure June 2023, cl.24; state and local road offices may add their own rules, so ask the district office.

What must a lease say?

The land is with you on the application date, owned or on a lease of at least 19 years 11 months, or as advertised Selection brochure June 2023, cl.4(vi).
With several owners, all must sign the lease deed Selection brochure June 2023, cl.4(vi).
For company-owned sites, the lease must allow sub-lease Selection brochure June 2023, cl.4(vi).
You develop the land to road level, with entry and exit lanes and a compound wall at least 1.5 m high Selection brochure June 2023, cl.4(vi), note 1(d).

Which distance rules apply?

Rule	Distance
New outlet from school, hospital of 10 beds or more, designated residential area	50 m; with PESO's extra safety measures if 50 m is not possible, but never under 30 m; no high-tension line over the outlet CPCB guidelines 7 Jan 2020
Outlet from a water body	50 m CPCB addendum 16 Aug 2021 PESO FAQs on Petroleum Rules
National highway, from an intersection	300 m rural, 100 m urban MoRTH norms 26 Jun 2020
National highway, from a toll plaza, barrier or level crossing	1,000 m MoRTH norms 26 Jun 2020
National highway, between two fuel stations	300 m; 1,000 m on a divided rural road MoRTH norms 26 Jun 2020

"Designated" means under local law, so the local master plan matters. PESO says the CPCB guidelines are not mandatory where construction began on or before 7 January 2020 PESO FAQs on Petroleum Rules.

What gets a site rejected?

The selection brochure rejects land that is short of the advertised size, is notified for acquisition, has other land between it and the road, or has a line above 11 kV crossing it. On a national highway it must also meet NHAI norms Selection brochure June 2023, cl.4(vi), cl.14(I).

Do not pay anyone to book land

The oil company makes no commitment to take land you offer Selection brochure June 2023, cl.4(vi), note 1(e). Nobody can book a site or dealership for you; they come only from the oil companies' own advertisements, and a payment to anyone for one is a fraud sign.

Where this comes from

Dealer selection brochure, June 2023: land and leases.
NHAI copy of MoRTH norms: highway plots.
CPCB new petrol pump guidelines: Puducherry government copy of CPCB's 2020 guidelines and 2021 addendum.
PESO FAQs: undertaking.

Questions people ask

01What is the land size required for a petrol pump?

On a national highway, 35 m by 35 m (rural stretch), 30 m by 30 m (urban) or 20 m by 20 m (hilly) MoRTH norms 26 Jun 2020. Elsewhere the oil company's advertisement states it Selection brochure June 2023, cl.24.

02Petrol pump land lease: for how many years?

The June 2023 dealer selection brochure asks for ownership or a lease of at least 19 years 11 months, or the period the company advertises Selection brochure June 2023, cl.4(vi). Read each company's advertisement.

03How far should a petrol pump be from a school?

A new outlet must be 50 m from a school, hospital of 10 beds or more, or designated residential area. Where that is not possible, PESO's extra safety measures are needed, and never under 30 m CPCB guidelines 7 Jan 2020.

04What is the minimum distance between two petrol pumps on a highway?

On a national highway, 300 m, or 1,000 m on a divided road in a rural stretch MoRTH norms 26 Jun 2020.

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