Irrigation Department came into being in the year 1920, separating out from the Public Works department and was named Irrigation & Waterways Department only in 1946. In the pre-plan period i.e. prior to 1951, Irrigation was effected through Diversion Schemes on rivers Kangsabati and Damodar. Since 1951, several major and medium irrigation Projects, flood management projects, river bank protection, anti sea erosion schemes and schemes relating to improvement of rural and urban connectivity have been taken up by the Department.Moreover, River Research Institute, under the control of this Department has been conducting research work on river engineering, soil technology etc and imparting training to departmental and other Government officials.