In a move poised to transform the development and management of the national capital’s infrastructure, the Public Works Department (PWD) of Delhi is set to establish its own engineering cadre.
This will mark the most significant administrative reform in the department’s history, ending decades of dependence on officers borrowed from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).
Until now, the department has relied on engineers including Executive Engineers (EEs), Superintending Engineers (SEs), and Junior Engineers (JEs), who were deputed from CPWD or other central agencies.
With the creation of an independent PWD cadre, Delhi will finally have its own permanent, dedicated technical workforce. These engineers will be appointed and promoted under the department’s own oversight and regulations.
According to PWD Minister Parvesh Verma, “This is a turning point not just for the Delhi PWD, but for the entire city.”
He further stated that when engineers are accountable solely to the people of Delhi, their performance and commitment will naturally improve.
“We are building a stronger, cleaner, and faster Delhi—and we need our own team to do it,” the minister said.
The proposal for cadre formation has been finalized and will be presented to the Delhi Cabinet in the coming days. Once approved, the department will begin the recruitment and structural realignment process, ensuring that every level is staffed by officers exclusively under the Delhi PWD.
Notably, all existing CPWD-deputed officers currently serving in the department will be given the option to either return to their parent cadre or permanently opt for the Delhi PWD engineering cadre, subject to departmental conditions and administrative rules.
This reform is expected to enhance departmental efficiency, strengthen accountability, and ensure continuity in leadership and project delivery.
It also aims to achieve administrative independence by eliminating delays or disruptions caused by CPWD deputation issues.
One of the main challenges with the current system is the limited accountability of deputed officers to the Delhi government, often resulting in project delays and mismanagement.
This structural reform is part of a broader initiative by the Delhi PWD to modernize operations. With the formation of a permanent cadre, the department will be better positioned to fulfill its responsibilities effectively.
Once implemented, this change will align the Delhi PWD with other major city infrastructure bodies such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and Delhi Development Authority (DDA), which already have dedicated engineering services.