The facilities will be funded through the private firm’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, with 50 pods planned in 2026-27, 50 in 2027-28 and 25 in 2028-29.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on Tuesday signed an MoU with Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd to set up 125 “Hirkani Kaksha” lactation pods at ST stands across Maharashtra, providing breastfeeding mothers with private spaces to care for their infants.
The ‘Hirkani Kaksha’ initiative is not just about creating another passenger facility; it reflects our recognition of the specific needs of women and our commitment to making the ST system more passenger-centric.
Pratap Sarnaik, transport minister and MSRTC chairman, said, “Providing dedicated, clean and private spaces for breastfeeding mothers at bus stations is an important step towards ensuring their dignity, comfort and safety. “The lactation pods at ST bus stations will be a very useful facility for mothers and will make long-distance travel more comfortable and stress-free,” said woman passenger Mayura Jhende.
