Functions, role and responsibilities:

The Assam Public Works Department was established in the year 1880 under British Rule. At the beginning it had the responsibility for all public infrastructure development,construction and maintenance work, but, in the year 1956 the Embankment and Drainage wing came out of the parent Department and established as an independent Department. The department has undergone considerable expansion since after attainment of independence and for smooth functioning of the organization, to share the increasing work load and for providing more stress to development works, the Assam P.W.D. has been divided into two wings viz. Roads and Building wings in August 1977 and since then both the wings are functioning with their prescribed identity.

The principal function of the Public Works Department is to develop the infra-structure for transport & communications of the State. Assam P.W.D. discharges its function in construction and repair of roads, bridges, culverts in the state including construction and repair of public buildings of the state and till date it has reached a considerable height of fame and competence.