The Directorate of Transport in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has taken a step towards improving employee welfare by inaugurating a crèche-cum-feeding room at its headquarters in Sri Vijaya Puram. The facility is aimed at supporting working parents, particularly women, by providing a safe and convenient space for their children during office hours.
The initiative was formally inaugurated by the Secretary of Transport in the presence of the Director of Transport and staff members. The event, though simple in format, drew wide participation from employees, reflecting the significance of the move for those balancing professional duties with family responsibilities.
Officials described the crèche-cum-feeding room as a milestone in the department’s ongoing efforts to make the workplace more inclusive and family-friendly. The Secretary of Transport, while addressing the gathering, highlighted how such initiatives improve not just employee satisfaction but also productivity, as workers are able to focus on their responsibilities without constant concerns about childcare.
The facility has been designed to offer a conducive environment for infants and toddlers, with safe interiors and essential amenities. Beyond providing childcare support, it also doubles as a feeding room, addressing a long-standing gap in workplace infrastructure for female employees. This step is being described as both progressive and practical, aligning with evolving workplace standards across government departments.
The Director of Transport expressed gratitude to the leadership for supporting the idea, noting that female employees in particular have historically faced challenges in balancing office responsibilities with domestic duties. He pointed out that simple measures such as creche facilities, clean toilets, and access to safe drinking water can go a long way in ensuring employee well-being. The presence of such amenities signals a department-wide commitment to gender-friendly workplace reforms.
Employee welfare has been a recurring challenge across government organisations, where rigid structures often leave little space for family-oriented facilities. The introduction of a crèche within the Directorate of Transport represents an effort to modernise institutional support systems. It is also in step with broader conversations on gender equality in the workplace, where initiatives like these reduce barriers for women to fully participate in the workforce.
For many working mothers, the dual role of professional duties and childcare has often meant making difficult choices between career progression and family needs. With the establishment of the crèche, the department is attempting to ease this burden, offering reassurance that their children are being cared for within the same premises where they work. This proximity is expected to boost confidence and reduce stress among employees.
The crèche is not only a welfare measure but also a reflection of changing workplace culture in the islands. As the number of women in the workforce grows, departments are increasingly recognising the importance of adopting practices that ensure inclusivity and equal opportunity. The evolution of support systems such as childcare spaces demonstrates how government offices are adapting to societal changes.
The inauguration ceremony also included acknowledgments of the efforts of various officers who contributed to the project’s completion. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the Assistant Director of Transport, symbolising collective appreciation for the initiative.
While modest in scale, the crèche-cum-feeding room represents an important precedent for other departments in the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. By making childcare a part of workplace planning, the Directorate of Transport has set an example that employee welfare is integral to institutional performance. The move is expected to encourage other government offices to adopt similar measures in the near future.
For the staff of the Directorate of Transport, the opening of the facility is not just the addition of a new room but a step towards a more balanced and supportive working environment. It is a reminder that progressive change often begins with small, thoughtful measures that directly impact everyday lives.
