The Maharashtra government has granted administrative approval for 395 dedicated restrooms for transgender persons at State Transport bus stations across the state, with the facilities planned across six regional divisions. The proposal has been approved at an estimated cost of Rs 9,76,63,195.
The Transport Department issued a Government Resolution on Wednesday approving the proposal for restrooms at Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus stations in the Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati and Nagpur divisions.
The decision follows directions from Minister of State for Transport Madhuri Misal, who asked MSRTC to provide separate restroom facilities for transgender persons at its bus stations. MSRTC subsequently prepared a proposal for the facilities, which its vice-chairman and managing director submitted to the state government on February 10 and September 22.
Misal also called for the proposal to be approved and for the required funds to be provided through the Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance. According to the Government Resolution, construction costs will be met from funds allocated by that department for the welfare of transgender persons.
The approval does not mean that construction can begin immediately. Before work starts, the relevant building plans must be approved, detailed cost estimates prepared and technical clearance obtained from the concerned executive engineers. These administrative and engineering clearances are required before the facilities can move into the construction phase.
The absence of separate restrooms at public transport facilities has created difficulties for transgender persons, particularly during long journeys. Bus stations are essential public spaces for passengers travelling between cities and towns, but access to basic amenities can determine whether a journey is practical and dignified for people who face barriers in using existing facilities.
The proposed restrooms are intended to address that gap at MSRTC facilities across the six divisions. The state government’s approval places the project within the existing public transport and social welfare administrative framework, with MSRTC responsible for preparing the proposal and the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department providing the identified funding support.
“Transgender individuals should be able to move about in public spaces with dignity. This decision has been taken to address the inconvenience they face due to the lack of separate restrooms at ST bus stations,” Misal said. She added that the proposal had received administrative approval and that work on the facilities would now be set in motion.
The next steps are the approval of building plans, preparation of detailed cost estimates and technical clearances from the concerned executive engineers. The Government Resolution and the minister’s statement do not specify a construction completion deadline or an opening date for the 395 restrooms.
