UP bus, railway stations to get sanitary napkin vending machines

Unicef, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) and railway authorities have signed an agreement to instal 250 'Sanitary Pad Vending Machines' at bus and railway stations across 75 districts in the state.

Agriculture Production Commissioner Pravir Kumar termed the agreement a major initiative towards promoting hygiene and cleanliness.

As per the agreement, Unicef has decided to instal the vending machines at every bus and railway station in the state. The vending machines will be linked with Aadhar cards and will be available round-the-clock.

Pravir Kumar told IANS that the main objective of the agreement is to dispel the widespread misconception associated with menstruation in society and also to make sanitary napkins easily available to adolescent girls and women in the state.

Women during travel can easily procure a sanitary napkin from the vending machines and need not wander in search of shops, Kumar said.

He said, "The unique feature of this agreement is that the vending machines will be linked with Aadhar cards. The last six-digit number of an Aadhar card will serve as the pin through which one can easily procure a sanitary napkin. The service will be available 24 hours."

Kumar added that bus and railway stations of 75 districts will be provided with the vending machines within the next 18 months. The installation work will be completed in three phases.

In the first phase, 50 bus and railway stations in 20 districts of the state will have 70 vending machines installed.

In the second phase, 70 bus and railway stations of 25 districts will have 90 vending machines installed.

In the third phase, 80 bus and railway stations of the remaining 30 districts will have 90 vending machines installed.

According to Kumar, the transport department is to provide facilities like place, electricity and wi-fi connection at bus stations for the installation of the vending machines.

Two experts will be hired to guard and manage the working of the vending machines.

The Sanitary Pad Vending Machines will be installed beside ladies toilets.

--IANS

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