Who started Public Works Department in India?
VerifiedAnswer: Lord Dalhousie
Explanation:
Lord Dalhousie established the Public Works Department (PWD) in India in 1854 during his tenure as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. This was one of his most significant administrative reforms that transformed India's infrastructure development approach.
Before the establishment of PWD, infrastructure projects in India were handled in a scattered and unorganized manner by different departments and agencies. Lord Dalhousie recognized the urgent need for a centralized system to manage the growing infrastructure requirements of British India, especially for roads, railways, irrigation systems, and public buildings.
The creation of PWD was part of Dalhousie's broader modernization agenda for India. He believed that proper infrastructure was essential for effective governance, economic development, and maintaining British control over the vast Indian subcontinent. The department was designed to bring professional engineering expertise and systematic planning to India's infrastructure projects.
The PWD initially focused on several key areas:
• Railway construction - Dalhousie was a strong advocate for railway development in India • Road building and maintenance - Creating better connectivity across regions • Irrigation projects - Improving agricultural productivity through canal systems • Construction of government buildings, bridges, and other public infrastructure
Lord Dalhousie's vision for the PWD was remarkably forward-thinking. He established a structured hierarchy with qualified engineers and technical staff, standardized procedures for project planning and execution, and created accountability mechanisms. This systematic approach was revolutionary for its time and laid the foundation for modern infrastructure development in India.
The Public Works Department became one of the most important administrative institutions in British India and continued to play a crucial role even after India's independence in 1947. Today, PWD exists in various forms across different Indian states, still responsible for maintaining roads, government buildings, and other public infrastructure projects, making Lord Dalhousie's 1854 initiative one of the most enduring administrative reforms in Indian history.
