The Taj Mahal is the first Indian heritage site to get a breastfeeding room

The Archeological Survey of India has announced that the iconic Taj Mahal will soon boast of a breastfeeding room for mothers, becoming the first Indian heritage site to boast of such a facility.

ASI official Vasant Kumar Swarnkar told Reuters that the room would be functional by July in order to aid the "millions of mothers who visit with their babies”.

He said they had arrived at the decision after he spotted a mother hiding under a stairway in order to feed her child. "“I could see it was so difficult for her (to feed her child) which is a basic motherhood right. So I thought we have to do something.”

Located in Agra, India, the Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as an ode to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It has since become an iconic heritage site which attracts up to 8 million visitors annually.

Commentators have praised the move, saying it is a necessary step towards destigmatising breast feeding and allowing mothers greater ease to move freely in public spaces.