The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), in coordination with a non-government organisation (NGO), has introduced a period room for women within the community toilet. Claimed to be the first-of-its-kind initiative at a public toilet, the facility in equipped with a urinal, jet spray, toilet roll holder, soap, running water and a dustbin, a civic official told PTI on Sunday. Painted on the outer wall of the toilet block are colourful pictures with messages advocating good hygiene, including during menstruation.
"This ₹45,000 low-cost facility will be replicated in all 120 community toilets in the city," the official said.He said women living in small houses, which do not have a separate bathing section, many a times find it difficult to change during periods.This facility will be a boon for such women and go a long way in promoting good hygiene, the official said. There are no public toilets for women in most of the localities and this facility will help provide them some relief, he said. The initiative indicates that slums are undergoing a revamp, with facilities like schools, health clinics and good toilets being set up there, the official said.