In a significant move to improve passenger welfare, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has issued a strict 24-hour directive to all airports nationwide, including Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), to establish and upgrade dedicated breastfeeding and childcare rooms.
The directive, issued on Chaitra 27 (April 10), comes as part of a sweeping effort by the ministry to modernize airport infrastructure following a surge in passenger complaints regarding hygiene and the lack of human-friendly facilities.
Mandatory Facilities and Hygiene Standards
According to the circular issued by Ministry Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), airports are now legally required to provide:
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Privacy-First Care Rooms: Dedicated, clean, and secure spaces for breastfeeding mothers and baby-changing.
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Medical Care Lounges: Primary care rooms equipped for the elderly, the sick, and passengers with special needs.
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Hygiene Logbooks: Implementation of daily “logbook” systems to track cleaning schedules, adhering to international standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
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Free Sanitary Pads: A first for Nepali airports, the ministry has ordered that free sanitary pads be made available in female restrooms.
Accountability and Legal Warnings
The government has taken a “zero-tolerance” approach to this timeline. Airport management teams must submit proof of compliance—including photographic evidence and reports—to the ministry within the 24-hour window via official email.
“Passenger service is our priority. Previous instructions were not effectively implemented, so this renewed action includes a warning of legal consequences for those who disregard the directive,” stated a ministry official.
To ensure transparency, the ministry has also invited the public to report their experiences or file complaints directly via a dedicated WhatsApp number. The move is expected to significantly improve the travel experience for thousands of domestic and international passengers who pass through Nepal’s aviation hubs daily.