Making tremendous progress for the development of women welfare, the Kochi Metro Rail Limited has installed pods at the stations where nursing mothers can breastfeed their baby in complete privacy. According to reports, the KMRL has collaborated with a health start-up and a private hospital to set these up at four different stations.
This initiation is also the first of its kind to help breastfeeding women receive such facilities in the metro train system.
The first pod was inaugurated by the managing director of KMRL, APM Mohammed Hanish at the Aluva train station. This inauguration is expected to be followed by three more pods at the Edappally, MG Road and Lissie stations in the coming month.
When asked about this latest development, the managing director said,
“The message that we are trying to send is simple: to create more safe and hygienic spaces for women in our society. This has been done considering how difficult it is for mothers to breastfeed their babies in public. After we launch in the first four stations, we will take feedback and then think about expanding it to other stations across the network,”
‘I love 9 months’ is the health startup that has made this new addition to the metro stations a possibility.
According to reports, the pods are 4 ft x 4 ft in size and made out of fibre-reinforced plastic which is used to provide a safe and private space for the breastfeeding women. It also consists of facilities to make the woman perfectly comfortable. From proper seating to adequate lighting, the pod has been designed keeping absolute comfort in mind. It also has a hand-sanitiser holder and a charging-point.
Ganga Raj, one of the founders of the startup said,
“The most challenging part for nursing mothers is to feed in a public space. When they’re travelling, it’s all the more difficult. So, this pod is a safe, private space for a mother to breastfeed her baby. Just before boarding, she has the option to breastfeed her baby and then get into the train. We’re trying to make travelling easier for both mother and baby.”
Apparently, the startup is also in talks with the Indian Railways about setting up such pods at major train stations.
