Prior to the devolution of resources consequent on transfer of functions and powers to the local governments in the light of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, and the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994, the local works wing of the Kerala PWD and the engineering staff from the PWD working in the Rural Development Board respectively were carrying out construction works on behalf of the Village Panchayats and the Community Development Blocks. Consequent on the devolution of powers and resources, the services of the above staff became inadequate. The token deployment of a PWD Division and a Minor Irrigation Section to the respective District Panchayats and other ad hoc arrangements since 1995 were not sufficient particularly since the local governments did not have any control over them. Thus there was a crying need for having own engineers at the disposal of the local governments, working under their direction and control. The redeployment of engineers was recommended by the Sen Committee on the basis of this need.

The engineering staff from the PWD and the WRD from Superintending Engineers to Assistant Executive Engineers were deployed vide G.O.(MS).No.16/2003/LSGD dt. 09.01.03 and the Assistant Engineers vide G.O.(P).No.31/2003/LSGD dt. 29.01.03. The Overseers were deployed vide G.O.(P).No.33/2003/LSGD dt. 31.01.03.

After the above orders, a lot of deployments, transfers and postings have taken place and now the notional LSGD Engineering Cadre, under the control of the LSGD in the Secretariat, is a full fledged one headed by the Chief Engineer, LSGD.