Mumbai Metro One has installed menstrual hygiene vending machines at all 12 stations of the Versova–Ghatkopar line in partnership with Sirona. The machines offer pads, tampons, liners, menstrual cups, and period panties at prices starting from Rs 10, placed outside women’s washrooms.¹

What Does It Mean

The installation of multi-product menstrual hygiene vending machines across the metro corridor marks a significant step towards integrating menstrual health into public transport infrastructure in India. Mumbai Metro One’s initiative to install these vending machines addresses a routine yet often overlooked problem that women face in their day-to-day lives, particularly while commuting.² Placed outside women’s restrooms at all 12 stations, the machines are designed to ensure easy, discreet, and timely access to menstrual hygiene products for women commuters.

The lack of adequate access to menstrual hygiene products in public transport spaces remains a glaring reality, one that many female commuters can readily attest to. Even where earlier efforts have been undertaken—such as by the Delhi Metro—issues relating to non-functional or faulty vending machines have escalated to the courts³, underscoring the gap between intent and implementation.

This initiative has the potential to make metro travel more female-friendly, comfortable, and inclusive by directly addressing menstrual needs during travel. At the same time, it contributes to reducing the stigma associated with the procurement of menstrual hygiene products in public spaces. The partnership with Sirona reflects a broader trend of embedding women’s health services into everyday public infrastructure.

While the move is likely to have positive impacts on dignified and hygienic travel, accessibility, and equity, its long-term significance lies in its potential influence on gender-responsive urban planning and the encouragement of wider integration of menstrual health facilities across public infrastructure. However, the effectiveness of this initiative will ultimately depend on consistent restocking, proper maintenance, and operational reliability of the vending machines, which remain key implementation challenges for achieving the intended outcomes.