Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 25: In a major boost to menstrual hygiene and passenger welfare, Indian Railways has launched a free sanitary pad initiative at railway stations, making essential hygiene products readily accessible to women travellers.
Aimed at enhancing comfort and convenience during travel, the Railways has introduced free sanitary napkin vending machines at major railway stations, ensuring that women passengers can access sanitary products at any time of the day.
As part of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Northern Railway, in partnership with Indus Towers, has installed 500 IoT-enabled vending machines across 175 railway stations. The machines dispense sanitary pads free of cost and are designed to provide round-the-clock access to menstrual hygiene products.
The facility has been introduced across key railway divisions, including Delhi, Firozpur, Ambala, Moradabad and Lucknow, benefiting thousands of women passengers who use the stations daily.
In Mumbai, similar facilities have been set up at several major suburban and high-footfall railway stations. Under a joint initiative of the Near Amaya NGO and CCIL, sanitary napkin vending machines along with disposal bins have been installed inside women's washrooms to improve hygiene and convenience.
The initiative marks another step by Indian Railways towards strengthening passenger amenities and promoting menstrual hygiene awareness by ensuring easy access to sanitary products for women during their journeys.