Development programme to harness the available irrigation potential and also to increase the power resources were undertaken by the state of Maharashtra , India on a larger scale after independence by construction of dams and hydro power projects. To cope up with the need of providing designs of earth and gravity dams. Central Designs Organisation (C.D.O) was established in 1957 by the state.   

The CDO at that time had to start from scratch, but because of continuing efforts of the Engineers working in the CDO, the Organisation is now recognised nationwide as a pioneer Design Organisation in the field of Dam Design. Organisation was strengthened for undertaking design of Hydro Electric Projects. It has now established its own design practices from the experience gained from the designs prepared and executed for last 43 years which has stood the test of the time and which are commensurate with the relevant BIS Code and USBR provisions.

CDO Building

CDO is located at Nashik a central place connected with rail and road. It has its own building and residential quarters for the staff. The pioneer research institute of the state, Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI) is located in the same premises, which is complementary for the Design.

• Design of irrigation project /Design of Hydro Electric Project / Design of Lift Irrigation Scheme.
• Hydrology ,Yield , Flood , Simulation studies and Flood routing.
• Detailed design of Earth dam, Gravity dam and its junctions.
• Design of different types of spillways / Energy dissipation arrangements.
• Instrumentation.
• Design of various types of Outlets.
• Design of all types of Gates.
• Design of various types of Major Canal Structures.