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                The Ministry of Construction’s primary function is the construction, maintenance and upgrading of the roads
and bridges. In addition to this, the Ministry also undertakes the construction and maintenance of the budgeted works of buildings and establishments assigned by other ministries and departments. It also undertakes the construction and maintenance works of airfields assigned by the Ministry of Transport. The Ministry of Construction also undertakes the civil and regional development works and the development of housing projects and human settlement programs for the economic and social benefits of the public. The background history of the Ministry of Construction is as follows:-


        Public Works Department (P.W.D) was founded in 1888 during the British Colonial time.

        In those days, there were two divisions under P.W.D-
                i. Housing and Road Division.
               ii. Irrigation Division.

        In 1922 only the Housing and Road Division was placed under the administration of the Diarchy Government.

        In 1951, Housing Division of P.W.D was reformed as Public Housing and City Development Department.
          The remaining engineering divisions in P.W.D were merged into the Highway Department and the ministry
          which came to be known as the Ministry of Public Works and Housing was formed.

        This Ministry has evolved into the Ministry of Construction in 1972.

        The Ministry of Construction is organized with one enterprise and two departments as follows:-

                  Public Works. (Enterprise)

                 Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development ( DHSHD ).

                 Department of Works Inspection.