Maharashtra has approved the construction of 395 dedicated restrooms for transgender persons at State Transport bus stations across the state, addressing a long-standing accessibility gap in public transport facilities. The administrative approval covers stations in six regional divisions: Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati and Nagpur.
The Transport Department issued a Government Resolution on Wednesday approving a proposal worth Rs 9,76,63,195. The facilities will be built at various bus stations operated by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), the state-run bus operator.
The proposal followed directions from Minister of State for Transport Madhuri Misal, who asked MSRTC to provide separate restroom facilities for transgender persons at its bus stations. The corporation subsequently prepared a proposal, which its vice-chairman and managing director submitted to the state government on February 10 and September 22, according to the report.
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. Under the Government Resolution, construction costs will be met from funds allocated by that department for the welfare of transgender persons.
The approval does not immediately mean that construction can begin at all locations. Before work starts, the required building plans must be approved, detailed cost estimates must be prepared and technical clearance must be obtained from the concerned executive engineers. These steps will determine the station-wise design, costing and implementation process.
The decision responds to a practical difficulty faced by transgender passengers using public transport, particularly during long-distance journeys. The absence of dedicated facilities at bus stations has often left transgender persons with limited options while travelling through public spaces.
“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, according to the report. She added that the proposal had received administrative approval and that work on the facilities would now be set in motion.
The project places responsibility for implementation with MSRTC, while funding will come through the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department. Its next formal milestones are the approval of building plans, preparation of detailed estimates and technical clearances from the relevant executive engineers before construction begins.
