Toyota Kirloskar Motor Partners with MSRTC to Launch “Hirkani Kaksha” Lactation Pods Across Maharashtra
Mumbai: Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to launch “Hirkani Kaksha” (Lactation Pods), a transformative gender-responsive initiative designed to support nursing mothers and enhance the safety and dignity of women commuters across Maharashtra’s public transport system.
Under this initiative, TKM will support the installation of 125 lactation pods across MSRTC bus depots throughout Maharashtra, providing secure, private and hygienic spaces equipped with essential amenities including prefabricated rooms, seating, feeding tables, baby diaper changing stations, sanitary napkin dispensers, and ventilation facilities. The initiative is expected to serve nearly 4.50 lakh women commuters annually, addressing a critical gap in gender-sensitive infrastructure at public transport hubs.
Maharashtra’s MSRTC operates approximately 22,800 buses across the state with major depots experiencing high daily commuter volumes of 20,000 to 50,000 passengers. Women constitute approximately 35-45% of total commuters (approximately 1.73 million), with significant demand emerging from high-footfall pilgrim destinations including Tuljapur, Pandharpur, Shirdi, Kolhapur, and Nashik, which collectively attract 10-15 million visitors annually. The growing demand for safe, accessible, and women-friendly public infrastructure presents an opportunity to further enhance the travel experience for nursing mothers and their families.
The Hirkani Kaksha initiative is a pioneering step towards creating a more inclusive and compassionate public transport ecosystem. By establishing dedicated lactation pods at MSRTC depots, the initiative provides nursing mothers with safe, private, and hygienic spaces, improving comfort, convenience, and dignity during travel. The project reflects a strong commitment to women’s well-being, maternal health, and gender-responsive infrastructure, while setting a benchmark for inclusive public services across Maharashtra.
The MoU was formally signed in the presence of Shri. Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Shri. Eknath Shinde, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister; Smt. Sunetra Pawar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister; Shri. Pratap Sarnaik, Hon’ble Minister of Transport; and other senior government officials of Maharashtra, along with TKM leadership.
Shri. Pratap Sarnaik, Hon’ble Minister of Transport, Government of Maharashtra said “The Hirkani Kaksha project exemplifies how collaborative initiatives between government and industry can create meaningful impact on citizens lives. This initiative strengthens our commitment to providing gender-sensitive, inclusive public services that prioritize the well-being and dignity of women commuters. We look forward to rolling out these lactation pods across MSRTC depots and setting a benchmark for public transport infrastructure in India”
Speaking on the partnership, Shri. Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “The Hirkani Kaksha initiative reflects our belief to address the specific needs of inclusive development of all community members. By creating safe and dignified spaces for nursing mothers in public transport, we are contributing to an eco-system that respects women’s mobility, health and well-being. This initiative with MSRTC demonstrates private sector and government collaboration to drive social progress meaningfully and make essential services more accessible to all.”
By investing in gender-responsive infrastructure, TKM contributes to creating a more equitable and inclusive society while supporting the Government of Maharashtra’s vision of safe and accessible public services for all citizens.
Since 2001, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has been committed to uplifting communities through initiatives spanning education, environment, road safety, skill development, health and hygiene, and disaster management. Through need-based interventions and strategic partnerships with government and civil society organizations, TKM continues to contribute to India’s development goals while advancing its global philosophy of “Creating Mobility for All.”
