Public Works Department

Public Works Department, the premier technical organization in the Union Territory of Pondicherry, is in-charge of Planning, Designing, Construction and Maintenance of Buildings, Roads, Bridges, National Highways, Irrigation, Flood Control, Water Supply and Public Health Engineering in all the four regions namely, Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. The Department is also responsible for maintaining essential services like Water Supply, Sewerage, Management of Water Resources etc.

Brief History

The department was known as "Service Des Travaux Publics" during the French Regime with the headquarters at Pondicherry. It was well-organized cadre and the French Engineers were renowned for the bridges, roads and irrigation works, which are still in use today. After merger the Public Works Department was established in 1954 for providing the basic infrastructure facilities to the public. Ever since the French left the soil, the Public Works Department has been playing an important role in the creation and maintenance of social infrastructure to generate economic growth and to improve the quality of life in the Union Territory of Pondicherry comprising of four regions of Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. The Public Works Department with its subtle technical skills and professional expertise has built a number of buildings with aesthetics, elegance, optimum functional utilization which are to be the indelible landmarks in Pondicherry for years to come. Not remaining complacent with constructing new buildings, the Public Works Department takes pride in maintenance even two centuries old buildings like Raj Nivas, Assembly Complex, Travaux Public Buildings, Court and Police quadrangle and Regional Executive Officers' buildings in outlying regions in good state thus preserving the architectural and French heritage. The Pondicherry town was having protected water supply even during French Regime. The well renowned Muthirapalayam water supply system created during 1902 is well maintained by the Public Works Department.

Duties

To plan and forecast the future needs in building the infrastructure facilities such as buildings, roads, bridges, irrigation, flood control, water supply and drainage facilities for the entire Union Territory of Pondicherry. To provide basic infrastructure required for the public of Union Territory of Pondicherry in various sectors such as buildings, roads, water supply, sewerage, irrigation and flood control. To create assets for the public of Union Territory of Pondicherry and to maintain and upkeep the assets created.

Main Activities/Functions

Planning, Designing, Construction and Maintenance of Buildings, Roads, Bridges, National Highways, Irrigation, Flood Control, Water Supply and Public Health Engineering in all the four regions namely, Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. It is also maintaining essential services like Water Supply, Sewerage, and Management of Water Resources etc. Also implements Centrally Sponsored Scheme like Tank Rehabilitation Project, Pondicherry. The Department has technical control over other Agencies/Local bodies, which are committed to the Community Development Programmes and other infrastructure programmes.