Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has approved significant reforms within the Public Works Department, including a fivefold increase in the financial authority of PWD officers and a thorough revision of the engineers’ service framework. This reform, the first of its kind in thirty years, aims to give officers greater autonomy, lessen reliance on higher-level approvals, and streamline processes such as tendering, contracting, and project execution, as indicated in an official statement released on Friday. During a review meeting of the PWD, it was highlighted that the last revision of financial powers occurred in 1995, while construction costs have increased by over 5.5 times since then, according to the Cost Inflation Index.
Adityanath emphasized that this revision is critical for enhancing administrative efficiency, ensuring timely project completion, and maintaining financial discipline. Following extensive discussions, it was resolved to increase financial limits for civil works by up to five times and for electrical and mechanical works by at least two times. The chief minister noted that these reforms would improve both transparency and accountability in the department’s operations. Under the new regulations, the chief engineer can approve projects up to Rs 10 crore, an increase from Rs 2 crore; the Superintending Engineer can authorize up to Rs 5 crore, up from Rs 1 crore; and the Executive Engineer’s limit will rise to Rs 2 crore from Rs 40 lakh.
Additionally, Assistant Engineers will gain limited authority to approve tenders and minor projects. The chief minister stated that these changes will accelerate project timelines, reduce approval delays, and enhance overall administrative efficiency, transparency, and accountability. The meeting also sanctioned essential amendments to the Uttar Pradesh Engineer Service (PWD) (Higher) Rules, 1990, which restructured the electrical and mechanical divisions. A new Chief Engineer (Level-1) position has been established, and the ranks of Chief Engineer (Level-2) and Superintending Engineer have been expanded. The updated rules clarify the promotion procedures, pay structures, and service conditions, thereby creating a more transparent and organized cadre structure.