In Delhi, Cabinet likely to hear draft note seeking PWD’s engineering cadre next week

Officials said that at present, barring PWD, other civic agencies that manage roads – like DDA, NDMC and MCD – have their own dedicated engineering wings.

A senior PWD official said that before the draft note was sent to the Cabinet, it was shared with Finance, Planning and Law departments for comments.

According to an internal document, the draft note seeks to “create a new cadre in the PWD engineering wing and to initiate the process of forming the new cadre…”

“A committee of experts and retired senior officials would also be constituted to study and recommend a roadmap for operationalising the wing,” said a senior PWD official.

Officials said the draft note also seeks to “authorise PWD to take any consequential and necessary steps to achieve the objective of creating of the new cadre in a phase wise manner with the approval of the competent authority”.

Officials said that once the Cabinet approves the draft note, the PWD will initiate the recruitment process, ensuring that each level – from junior to chief engineer – is staffed by officers exclusively under Delhi PWD’s control.

“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,” PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh had said in July.

According to officials, till now, PWD has relied upon engineers, executive engineers, superintending engineers, and junior engineers deputed from the CPWD. But with the creation of an independent PWD cadre, Delhi will finally have its own permanent, dedicated technical workforce — trained, appointed, and promoted under its own rules and oversight.

“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…,” said a senior official, adding that under the new proposal, transfers will happen within the Capital only.

Officials further said once the proposal is implemented, “all existing CPWD-deputed officers currently serving in Delhi PWD will be given the option to either return to their parent cadre or permanently join the new Delhi PWD engineering cadre, subject to conditions set by the department and administrative rules”.

From the homepage

Mohan Bhagwat Address LIVE Updates: Sangh will bat for reservation till beneficiaries don’t feel its need, says RSS chief

As row erupts over Bihar Cong leader’s remarks on PM Modi, why party would be holding its breath

‘If Indians don’t budge, I don’t think the President will’: Trump adviser on India trade talks