News Brief
Delhi To Create Own PWD Engineering Cadre, Ending CPWD Dependence — What You Need To Know
(Representative image)
The Delhi government is set to end its dependence on Central Public Works Department (CPWD) engineers by forming its own engineering cadre under the Public Works Department (PWD) as part of a major administrative overhaul, Indian Express reported.
A finalised proposal will soon go to the Cabinet for approval, according to the officials cited in the IE report.
After Cabinet nod, the PWD will start recruiting and realigning its structure to ensure all engineering positions — from junior to chief engineer — are held by Delhi PWD officers alone.
“This is a turning point not just for Delhi PWD, but for the entire city. When engineers are accountable only to the people of Delhi, their performance and commitment automatically rise. We are building a stronger, cleaner, and faster Delhi, and we need our own team to do it,” Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh was quoted as saying by IE.
Currently reliant on CPWD-deputed engineers, executive engineers, superintending engineers, and junior engineers, the Delhi PWD will now gain a permanent, dedicated technical workforce recruited, trained, and promoted under its own rules and oversight — giving the state full administrative control.
“Now, even if the minister or the government wants to take action against any engineer, they cannot do so… They have to seek approval from L-G and CPWD… CPWD then approves and takes further action… Further, in Delhi, engineers are transferred out of Delhi once in three years… Due to this, many projects get delayed, there are cost overruns and mismanagement…,” a senior official said.
“By building its own cadre, the PWD will finally overcome these bottlenecks, ensuring smoother, faster implementation of critical infrastructure works… This change will bring the Delhi PWD in line with other modern city infrastructure bodies such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council, and Delhi Development Authority, which already have dedicated engineering services,” the department said in a statement, IE reported.
This move will reportedly provide administrative independence and ensure there are no delays or disruptions due to CPWD deputation.
According to the statement, Cadre engineers will remain with projects long-term and undergo Delhi-specific technical training.
Once approved, current CPWD-deputed engineers will be allowed to either return to their cadre or join the Delhi PWD’s new engineering cadre permanently, subject to conditions set by the department and administrative rules.
