WBCS.LIVE practice question

Who among the following established the Public Works Department (PWD) in India?

Solve this multiple-choice question and check the correct answer with its explanation below.

Answer options

  1. Lord Dalhousie
  2. Lord Bentinck
  3. Lord Cornwallis
  4. Warren Hastings

Correct answer and explanation

Correct answer: Lord Dalhousie

Explanation: The correct answer is A. Lord Dalhousie. The Public Works Department (PWD) in India was established by Lord Dalhousie in 1854. He is regarded as one of the key architects of modern infrastructure in British India. Realising the need for organized development of public utilities like roads, bridges, canals, and buildings, Dalhousie introduced the PWD as a centralised engineering department to undertake construction and maintenance of public infrastructure across the country.