The city will soon have ‘fresh-up’ centres exclusively for women. The proposed facility will have properly maintained toilets, space for breastfeeding, relaxing areas and a snacks bar in a cosy environment. The Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC) will implement the project in select locations. People close to the development told The Hindu that the design for the centres is in its final stages of approval.
The move to offer such a facility came after the government found that Kochi, which boasts of its rising profile as a metro, has serious gaps in its public health and sanitation mechanism. Many women had stayed away from using the public comfort stations owing to the stench emanating from these units.
Officials pointed out that ‘fresh-up’ centres would be set up using the ₹10-crore assistance included in the State Budget from the advertisement expenditure of the Kerala Lottery. Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac had said in his budget speech that the amenity centres would be set up jointly by the KSWDC, Kudumbasree and local-self government institutions.
‘Fresh-up’ centres will be constructed at bus stands, railway stations, tourist centres and important locations in Kochi. The fee for availing the services will be kept reasonable. The KSWDC hopes that the centres would help women travellers get basic amenities while on the move. They need not wait in long queues as the centres will offer a hassle-free environment. The focus is to provide clean and hygienic facilities for women across the State.
Lack of well-maintained public utilities had taken a toll on Kochi’s image as an expanding metro space. The city has only less than 15 public comfort stations managed by the Kochi Corporation and the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), with most of them lacking scientific treatment processes and hygiene.
