In the past decade, women engineers’ strength in the Water Resources Department has increased to nearly 60%. Currently, five wings have women engineers holding key positions as chief engineers, marking a significant milestone.

Officials of the WRD noted that the 167-year-old department has undergone several reorganisations and many new wings were created. In June 2021, the State government had created an exclusive department for Water Resources by detaching it from Public Works Department. The aim was to augment and conserve the State’s surface and groundwater resources and effective water management

At present, there are about 2,000 engineers in the department and many of them are women recruited through Combined Engineering Services exam, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission. In the past 10 years, the strength has steadily grown and now, women engineers contribute to nearly 60%, officials said.

Five wings in the WRD now have women chief engineers as heads, which is a first-of-its kind. These wings are Chennai Region, WRD; Design, Research and Construction Support; State Ground and Surface Water Resources Data Centre; State Water Resources Management Agency. One of them is WRD Chief Engineer who is on deputation to Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department, noted officials.

One of the senior officials noted that this was the first time that Chennai region had a woman as head. Both the department and the wing involved inspections to waterbodies and dams in remote locations to create, research and strengthen irrigation and drinking water infrastructure.

Women engineers now have a greater role in shaping design solutions for water resources management. Opportunities through merit and 33% reservation for women in direct recruitment had increased the strength of women in the organisation, said the official.

Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, which was created in 1978, too has predominantly women engineers occupying key positions. Currently, four of the five chief engineers heading projects and operation and maintenance wings are women. Of the 387 engineers, including area engineers, in the Board, 180 of them are women. Besides TNPSC, recruitments are being done through notifications, Metrowater officials said.