Toyota Kirloskar Motor, MSRTC sign MoU to set up 125 lactation pods across Maharashtra

Mumbai, Sept 17 (TNT): Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to install 125 lactation pods, or “Hirkani Kaksha”, across bus depots in the state.

The initiative aims to provide secure, private and hygienic spaces for nursing mothers travelling through the state’s public transport system, TKM said in a release.

The lactation pods will be equipped with prefabricated rooms, seating, feeding tables, baby diaper-changing stations, sanitary napkin dispensers and ventilation facilities, it said.

The initiative is expected to serve nearly 4.5 lakh women commuters annually, according to the company.

MSRTC operates around 22,800 buses across Maharashtra, with major depots handling between 20,000 and 50,000 passengers daily. Women account for around 35-45 per cent of the total commuter base, the statement said.

The company said the initiative would particularly benefit commuters travelling through high-footfall destinations such as Tuljapur, Pandharpur, Shirdi, Kolhapur and Nashik.

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 and senior government officials, along with TKM leadership.

Sarnaik said the project would help strengthen gender-sensitive and inclusive public services and expressed hope that the lactation pods would be rolled out across MSRTC depots.

TKM Country Head and Executive Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Vikram Gulati, said the initiative was aimed at creating safe and dignified spaces for nursing mothers and reflected collaboration between the government and private sector to improve access to essential services.

TKM said the initiative forms part of its community development efforts covering areas including education, environment, road safety, skill development, health and hygiene, and disaster management.

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