Patna: Renovation work has begun at the Bihar State Women’s Commission office in Patna, with plans to add a new courtroom, a private counselling room for couples involved in marital disputes, and a crèche for children accompanying their parents.
The upgrades are intended to strengthen the commission’s infrastructure and improve facilities for women seeking redress. An adjacent plot of land is also being acquired to expand the office premises.
Speaking about the changes, the commission’s chairperson, Prof Apsara, said the need for a dedicated space for couples had become clear while handling marital dispute cases. “We realised that in such matters, couples require space and time to talk to each other,” she said. “A separate room is being arranged where husbands and wives can sit together and attempt to resolve issues that they may not have been able to address at home.”
The renovation will also include a crèche for young children. According to Prof Apsara, many women arrive at the commission with their children, who often remain in the corridors during hearings. “This creates hygiene concerns and disrupts proceedings,” she said, adding that a separate room would allow children to wait comfortably while their parents attend hearings.
In addition, separate chambers are being constructed for all seven members of the Women’s Commission, facilities that were previously unavailable in an organised manner. The courtroom is also being refurbished as part of the broader renovation.
Once completed, officials say the commission will have a more organised and functional layout, aimed at making the process less stressful for women and families who approach it for help.
