Mangaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) had already proved itself to be women-friendly by initiating several facilities for women like the ladies’ restroom, child care room and others. Now, it has installed a sanitary napkin machine at the Bejai KSRTC bus stand, where women can get sanitary napkins for just for Rs 5.

The minimum price for a sanitary napkin in the market is around Rs 25. This facility at the KSRTC bus stop is not limited to Mangaluru city, but is available in 10 KSRTC bus stands across the state. The machine which dispenses the sanitary napkins has been placed inside the ladies’ toilet. There are two machines, one for dispensing and another for burning the used napkins. If a woman wants a sanitary napkin, she can obtain it by dropping a Rs 5 coin to the machine. An instruction pamphlet has been put near the machines in order to show women how to use the napkin dispenser. People can also approach the housekeeping staff for more information.

This machine has the capacity to store 100 sanitary napkins. However, if it becomes empty, the housekeeping staff at the KSRTC bus stand will restock it.

Arun, KSRTC Mangaluru Divisional Controller, when contacted told newskarnataka.com that the response of the people towards napkin machine is very good. “This facility has been available in the Bejai bus stand just for four days and we have witnessed a good response. As it is in the initial stage, most of the women are yet to find out about the facility. The facility will be extended to other KSRTC bus stands if there is a good response from the public,” he said.