**Policy Summary: Provision of Baby Feeding Rooms at Railway Stations**
This policy addresses the provision, maintenance, and expansion of "Shishu Aahar Kaksh" (baby feeding rooms) at railway stations across India. As of July 30, 2025, baby feeding rooms are available at 452 railway stations, including 57 in Maharashtra and 20 in West Bengal. The Ministry of Railways considers the provision of these facilities a continuous and ongoing process, dependent on factors such as passenger traffic volume and fund availability. The government ensures the proper maintenance and cleanliness of these rooms through periodic inspections, aiming to provide a comfortable and safe environment for mothers and infants. To enhance awareness, signage and posters indicating the availability of baby feeding rooms are displayed at prominent locations within stations, and railway staff are instructed to provide assistance to users upon inquiry. The government plans to expand these facilities to more stations. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, is responsible for this initiative.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for the Indian Railways.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Shishu Aahar Kaksh: Hindi term for Baby Feeding Room facility at railway stations.
SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI: Member of Parliament who raised a question in Lok Sabha.
SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA: Member of Parliament who raised a question in Lok Sabha.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, who provided the answer to the question.
Maharashtra state: One of the states in India with 57 railway stations having Baby Feeding Rooms.
WestBengal state: One of the states in India with 20 railway stations having Baby Feeding Rooms.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1793
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
BABY FEEDING ROOM AT RAILWAY STATIONS
1793. SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI:
SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of Shishu Aahar Kaksh (baby feeding
rooms) available at railway stations across the country including
Maharashtra and West-Bengal, station-wise;
(b) whether there is any demand for the same facility from any other
cities in the States, if so, the details thereof;
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure proper
maintenance, cleanliness and safety of these rooms for mothers
and infants; and
(d) the details of the plans to expand Shishu Aahar Kaksh facilities
at more stations and enhance awareness among passengers ?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) : Provision of Shishu Aahar Kaksh facility at railway stations
in Indian Railways is a continuous and on-going process depending
upon requirement, volume of the passenger traffic, funds availability
etc.Presently, Baby Feeding Rooms are available at 452 railway
stations across the country, including 57 stations over Maharashtra
state and 20 stations over West-Bengal state.
It is ensured that proper maintenance including cleanliness of
the Baby Feeding Rooms at stations is taken up. Periodic inspections
are also conducted to maintain a comfortable and safe environment
for mothers and infants at stations. Proper signage boards and posters
indicating the availability of this facility are provided at prominent
locations at stations to enhance awareness among passengers and
necessary assistance is also extended by railway staff to users upon
inquiry.
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