Fly Free: Coming Soon, Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines At Airports In India

New Delhi: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided to put up sanitary napkin vending machines at airports across the country. Airports in Indore, Kolkata, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Port Blair, Trivandrum, Vishakhapatnam, Vadodara, Pune, Guwahati, Varanasi and Surat already have the access to sanitary napkins vending machine. The latest airport to follow the same suit is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. Spokesperson from the Airports Authority India said,

Addressing basic-hygiene related needs is our responsibility. And, the step for installation of sanitary napkin vending machines across India, is a small step towards fulfilling this duty.

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In October last year, AAI took the step of putting the sanitary napkin vending machine in Indore and since then there was no looking back.

The vending machines that are being placed have the capacity to stock 25 sanitary pads and provide female passengers a sanitary napkin at a cost of Rs. 5. Airport authority of India is charging this money to maintain the stock of the vending machines on a regular basis.

Airport Director Atul Dikhshit from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport added,

These sanitary napkin dispensing machine have been provided for promoting menstrual hygiene and maintaining personal cleanliness factors.

This initiative has widely appreciated by women passengers across India.

Next airport on the line is, Bagdogra airport in Darjeeling district. Director of Bagdogra Airport Rakesh R Sahay added,

The availability of sanitary napkins inside the terminal building will ensure comfort to women passengers and promote hygienic practices. It will also help address the deep rooted stigma attached to menstruation.

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