Seven major bus stations to get centres first

The Women and Child Welfare Department, with support from Telangana State Road Transport Corporation, will establish the centres at key bus stations.

Women and Child Welfare Minister Seethakka will formally launch the initiative from Banjara Bhavan on Sunday on the occasion of International Women's Day.

Officials said the government has decided to set up 50 centres across the state. In the first phase, centres will open at seven major bus stations, including Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) in Hyderabad.

Separate rooms with seating, fan and wash facilities

The centres will function in separate rooms within bus stations and will be accessible only to women.

Each room will have comfortable sofas or chairs for mothers to feed infants. Tables will be provided to place baby bags and clothes, and curtains will ensure privacy.

Facilities will include fans, lighting and a wash basin for handwashing. Bus stations with sufficient space will also have attached washrooms. Dustbins will be placed for disposal of diapers.

Officials said the aim is to ensure mothers can breastfeed their babies without inconvenience in crowded public places.

Plan to expand to temples and tourist locations

The idea gained momentum after the government set up 13 breastfeeding centres during the Medaram Jatara, where they received a positive response from mothers.

Following this, officials decided to introduce the facility at busy transport hubs.

Centres will be set up at bus stations including Reti Bowli, Uppal, Medchal and Kachiguda, as well as the bus station near Malkajgiri railway station and other major district bus stands.

Officials are still discussing who will maintain the facilities. The options under consideration include assigning responsibility to Telangana State Road Transport Corporation staff or self-help groups.

Women welcomed the move, saying it recognises the difficulties mothers face while feeding infants in crowded public spaces.