What Is Mobile Bathroom? Mumbai Brings Free Shower Service For Women

The Maharashtra government, in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has launched a unique shower service for women in Mumbai’s Kandivali area by converting a bus into a high-tech mobile bathroom. This service is available free of cost. Since its launch, the initiative has gained significant traction, with many women availing themselves of this free luxury moving bathroom. Within just a month, it has already become a popular and well-utilized facility.

The high-tech bus is equipped with five mobile phones and two cloth dryers. Each bathroom offers hand wash and body wash for convenience, along with a tap, bucket, shampoo, shower, geyser, and tub.

Designed for efficiency, the mobile bathroom can flush out all used water in just 10 minutes, helping to prevent long queues while conserving water. Additionally, the initiative has created employment opportunities for two women.

The Idea Behind Mobile Bathroom

The concept was introduced by Maharashtra Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and executed by the District Planning Committee and the Municipal Corporation. Speaking to The Times Of India about this initiative, Lodha said,

“We understand the challenges faced by women in slum areas when it comes to proper bathing facilities. To address this, we have launched this first-of-its-kind mobile bathroom project, and it will be expanded to other areas soon." 

The mobile shower service is managed by three sisters who run an organization called Be the Change. Their efforts have made hygienic and accessible bathing facilities available to many women in Kandivali, earning widespread appreciation from the community.

Encouraged by the success of this initiative, authorities are now preparing to expand the service to other parts of the city. The BMC has also included plans for more such high-tech mobile bathing units in its budget, officials confirmed.