Kolkata news: With the help of financial assistance from the state government, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation(KMC) has built a nursing space on Freeschool Street in the city. The 450 sqft women and childcare facility is the first of its kind initiative developed by the corporation. The civic body received Rs 22 lakh from the state government for the project, which aims to cater exclusively to women requiring urgent nursing facilities, Times of India reported. 

The KMC plans to open more childcare facilities, aiming for one in each of its 144 wards. A civic official said finding land is a big challenge, but they will try to locate suitable plots. The service will be accessible to women without charge. 

A representative from KMC bustee services department, overseeing the construction work of the childcare room said, "We have built the structure to serve a dual purpose. Working women can use it as a washroom, and we have also kept a portion of the facility reserved for women who need to feed their infants," the report added. 

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On the other hand, the Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Pravati Parida, on Thursday said that all public spaces in the state will have dedicated breastfeeding facilities, the New Indian Express reported. 

During an event, help to mark World Menstruation Day, Parida said, Comfortable rooms where new mothers can nurse their children will be set up across all bus stands, railway stations and every other public space in the next two to three months. This will help women breastfeed comfortably without being stigmatised during travel.”

In its ruling, early March this year, the Supreme Court of India said that the union and state governments are obligated to provide rooms for new mothers to breastfeed their children in public spaces.