Rohtak bus stand sets up cubicle for nursing moms

Ravinder Saini

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Rohtak, March 5

Ahead of the International Women’s Day, the state Transport Department has set up a breastfeeding room at the local bus stand in order to make a secure and private space available for nursing mothers for the same purpose.

WOMEN FEEL HESITANT TO BREASTFEED IN OPEN

A large number of women daily visit the bus stand with their infants, and many a time, they have to wait for longer period for the buses. They feel hesitant about feeding their infants in the open due to the non-availability of private space for the same. However, now they need not worry as a breastfeeding room has been established at the bus stand. — Bharat Bhushan Gogia, Rohtak Depot General Manager

Earlier, there was no such space available at the bus stand, forcing women to feed their infants either at any isolated place there or at the washrooms, which were neither convenient nor hygienic. As a result, many women used to hesitate in feeding their infants at this crowded place despite requirement.

“This is the brainchild of Principal Secretary (Transport) Navdeep Singh Virk. Comfortable sofa sets, appropriate lighting and drinking water facility have been made available in the room,” Rohtak Depot General Manager (GM) Bharat Bhushan Gogia told The Tribune.

He said though the room would be formally dedicated to public on International Women Day i.e. on March 8, but they had opened it on Tuesday to provide the facility to the women immediately. “A large number of women daily visit the bus stand with their infants, and many a time, they have to wait for longer period for the buses. They feel hesitant about feeding their infants in the open due to the non-availability of private space for the purpose. However, now they need not worry as a breastfeeding room has been established at the bus stand,” said Gogia.

The GM said the room was easily accessible for the women passengers. Posters had been put up to make women aware about the facility. Roadways employees were also creating awareness about the facility, he added.

“This is a good initiative by the Transport authorities. Such facilities should be made available at every bus stand across the state,” said Manju, a woman passenger.