Mumbai: Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to establish 125 dedicated lactation pods at bus depots across Maharashtra, creating private and hygienic spaces for nursing mothers travelling on the state-run transport network.
Called “Hirkani Kaksha”, the initiative is expected to serve nearly 4.50 lakh women commuters annually and is aimed at addressing a basic but often overlooked infrastructure requirement at busy public transport hubs.
The planned facilities will include prefabricated rooms, seating, feeding tables, baby diaper-changing stations, sanitary napkin dispensers and ventilation facilities. The objective is to give nursing mothers a secure and private place to feed and care for infants while travelling.
For parents navigating crowded bus stations with babies and luggage, even a modest private room can make the journey considerably less complicated.
125 Facilities Planned Across Maharashtra
MSRTC operates approximately 22,800 buses across Maharashtra, with some of its major depots handling between 20,000 and 50,000 passengers a day.
According to figures shared by Toyota, women account for around 35% to 45% of total commuters, or approximately 1.73 million passengers.
Demand for such facilities can be particularly significant at high-footfall pilgrimage destinations including Tuljapur, Pandharpur, Shirdi, Kolhapur and Nashik. Together, these destinations attract an estimated 10 million to 15 million visitors annually.
The programme therefore places the issue of maternal facilities within the wider discussion around accessibility and gender-responsive public infrastructure.
Rather than being treated as an additional convenience, dedicated nursing spaces can address practical privacy, hygiene and comfort requirements for mothers undertaking long-distance journeys with infants.
Maharashtra Government, Toyota Formalise Partnership
The MoU was signed in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis; Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar; Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik; senior Maharashtra government officials; and Toyota Kirloskar Motor representatives.
Pratap Sarnaik, Minister of Transport, Government of Maharashtra, said:
“The Hirkani Kaksha project exemplifies how collaborative initiatives between government and industry can create meaningful impact on citizens lives. This initiative strengthens our commitment to providing gender-sensitive, inclusive public services that prioritize the well-being and dignity of women commuters. We look forward to rolling out these lactation pods across MSRTC depots and setting a benchmark for public transport infrastructure in India”
The project represents a public-private collaboration focused on improving facilities available to women at state transport terminals.
Focus on Privacy, Hygiene and Accessibility
Public transport infrastructure in India has traditionally concentrated on operational requirements such as terminals, ticketing, waiting areas and passenger movement. Facilities specifically designed for mothers travelling with infants have been comparatively less common.
The Hirkani Kaksha project seeks to narrow that gap by creating designated spaces where mothers can nurse their children away from crowded waiting areas.
Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said:
“The Hirkani Kaksha initiative reflects our belief to address the specific needs of inclusive development of all community members. By creating safe and dignified spaces for nursing mothers in public transport, we are contributing to an eco-system that respects women’s mobility, health and well-being. This initiative with MSRTC demonstrates private sector and government collaboration to drive social progress meaningfully and make essential services more accessible to all.”
The facilities will also include diaper-changing infrastructure and sanitary napkin dispensers, expanding their utility beyond breastfeeding alone.
Part of Toyota’s Community Initiatives
Toyota Kirloskar Motor said the programme forms part of its broader community-development activities in India.
Since 2001, the company has undertaken initiatives covering education, environmental programmes, road safety, skill development, health and hygiene, and disaster management, often working with government bodies and civil society organisations.
The company describes these activities as part of its wider philosophy of “Creating Mobility for All.”
For MSRTC, the project could also demonstrate how passenger facilities at bus depots can evolve beyond the traditional waiting hall and ticket counter. With millions of passengers depending on Maharashtra’s state transport network, seemingly small infrastructure additions can have an outsized effect on the everyday travel experience.
The significance of the Hirkani Kaksha programme will ultimately depend on how effectively the 125 facilities are installed, maintained and made accessible at busy depots. But its underlying principle is straightforward: public transport becomes more inclusive not only when it reaches more destinations, but also when the infrastructure along the way recognises the needs of the people using it.
