With the Russian Empire demobilizing into a peace-time footing and with the steppes pacified - for now - internal developments can take foot. With that in mind, Tsar Alexander II has created the Ministry of Communications in order to help spur and advance the development of Russian infrastructure. The Department of Railroads, established on August 17, 1842, has been merged into the other Department of the General Directorate of Communication, Path and Public Buildings. As part of a reorganization scheme, the 2nd Department - that regarding Shipping and Public Building - will be split apart with control over Public Buildings going to the Ministry of the Interior. In addition to this separation, control over the telegraphs will be ceded to the General Post Office.

To lead the Ministry of Communications will be Pavel Melnikov, a chief engineer on the Nikolaev Railway as well chief engineer on the defenses of the Dinaburg Fortress will be appointed as the first Minister of Communications in the Russian Empire. His 1,500 page treatise over railway business will surely come in help!