The department was created in the year 1972 by former state Uttar Pradesh to strengthen the rural infrastructure. Initially it was under the administratively control of Ministry of Rural Development. A separate Ministry was formed to strengthen the department later on. The Department has its own ministry in Uttrakhand also. It is recognised as one of the main construction agencies to perform works of different nature such as link roads, small bridges, residential and non residential buildings in the far flung areas of the State.
Department executes the construction works on deposit basis and is also providing technical guidance to block level administrative officers.
It executes the construction works of various government departments like Medical and Health, Revenue, Rural Development, Police, Forest, Primary and Secondary Education, Tourism, Fisheries, Women Empowerment, Border Area Development Programme, Agriculture, Social Welfare, Ayurvedic, SSA, RMSA, Food and Supply department including Sansad Nidi &Vidyak Nidi.