The Vadavalli bus stand in Coimbatore city, where a ‘She Toilet’ facility is set to be developed.
| Photo Credit: S. Siva Saravanan

As part of its initiative to create dedicated spaces for women in public areas, the Coimbatore Corporation will establish ‘She Toilet’ at the bus stands in the city.

According to Corporation officials, the first such facility is planned at the Vadavalli bus stand in the West Zone, at an estimated cost of ₹65 lakh.

It is designed to address the specific hygiene and privacy needs of women. The facility will include a barrier-free entrance, toilets, a nursing room for mothers, a security room, a diaper-changing station for children, and a sanitary napkin vending unit.

It will also include lockers for storing commonly carried items such as handbags, dupattas, and cloth materials. To enhance the overall environment, the space is expected to be developed with greenery—plants and creepers—to improve air quality and create a calm atmosphere.

As a distinctive feature, the design includes a small reading or study area furnished with seating and tables, aimed at providing a space for learning or quiet relaxation. A dedicated baby zone is also planned, with assistance from an on-site caretaker to support women travelling with young children.

“This facility is intended to serve as a safe, accessible, and multipurpose space for women in the city. Tenders have been floated for the project. Once construction is complete, a decision will be taken on whether it will be a free or paid facility,” said an engineering official from the Corporation.

Funded by the Coimbatore Corporation, the idea draws inspiration from similar facilities in northern States implemented under the Swachh Bharat Mission. It is being taken up as a pilot project, with plans to expand the initiative to other bus stands in the city based on its reception, the official added.