The Public Works Department plays a major role in the economic, commercial and touristic development of the State of Goa. Being a service Department, it is entrusted with all the developmental activities like Planning, Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of all types of construction works in this State of Goa.
Following are the programmes which are under the Public Works Department:
(1)Building Works : Functional and Non-functional
(2) Roads and Bridges.
(i) State Programmes.
(ii)Centrally Sponsored programmes.
(iii) National Highways.
(iv) Western Ghat Development programme.
(3) Water Supply and Sanitation
(i)State Programmes.
(ii)Centrally Sponsored programmes.
(4) Electrical and Mechanical
This includes Government Garage and workshop.
In addition to the above, the construction for most of the other Departments, Local Bodies and some of the Autonomous organisations are also executed by the Public Works Department, as Deposit Works.
A full-fledged Principal Chief Engineer, who is also the Ex-Officio Additional Secretary to the Government of Goa, having his head quarters at Altinho, Panaji, heads the Public Works Department.