BMTC to introduce breastfeeding rooms at bus stations

In a progressive move, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has decided to introduce women's lounges at major bus stations, where lactating mothers can feed their babies. At these lounges, women will also have access to waiting rooms, drinking water, and restrooms.

Public Relations Officer, BMTC, V Nagaraj told The News Minute,

"These lounges will have a separate room for breastfeeding mothers in order to provide them with some privacy. It will also benefit women staffers of the BMTC, especially conductors. There is a lot of space in the traffic and transit management centres where these lounges will be set up."

For this project, the corporation has put forward a plan and a budget of Rs 2.25 crore under the Nirbhaya Fund to the central government. However, while a good move, it is not the first of its kind — former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa had introduced the same concept two years ago.

Prominent activist for women's rights KS Vimala, in a chat with The Times of India, said,

"Many women passengers wait at terminuses for long hours, but there are no facilities at most places to help mothers breastfeed comfortably. There are dedicated smoking rooms in most offices, but there are no efforts to set up an adequate space for breastfeeding. The government should maintain the dedicated rooms and prevent their misuse by miscreants."

In general, the World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months, with a combination of breastfeeding and solid foods for 12–24 months or for as long as mother and baby may require.

Read More: Why breastfeeding is as important for the mother as it is for the baby

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