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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1996 |
| Jurisdiction | Tamil Nadu |
| Headquarters | Chennai |
| Minister responsible |
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| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Government of Tamil Nadu |
| Website | Highways and Minor Ports Department |
TheDepartment of Highways and Minor Ports is one of thedepartments ofGovernment of Tamil Nadu.
TheGovernment of Tamil Nadu created the highways department in 1946 as sub-department to public works department. A separate highways department was formed in 1996.[1][2]
The objective of the department is to formulate policies, regulations and programmes regarding road transport. The department is responsible for the improvement and maintenance of public roads, highways and bridges and to establish and improve small ports.[3]
Tamil Nadu has an extensive road network covering about 2.71 lakh km as of 2023 with a road density of 2,084.71 kilometres (1,295.38 mi) per 1000 km2 which is higher than the national average of 1,926.02 kilometres (1,196.77 mi) per 1000 km2.[2] The department operates through eleven wings with 120 divisions and maintains 73,187 kilometres (45,476 mi) of highways in the state.[4][5] There arestate highways of length 6,805 kilometres (4,228 mi) which connectdistrict headquarters, important towns andnational highways in the state.[6][5]
| Type | NH | SH | MDR | ODR | OR | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length (km) | 6,805 | 12,291 | 12,034 | 42,057 | 197,542 | 271,000 |
There is an intermediate sea port atNagapattinam and sixteen other minor ports which are managed by the department.[2]
The following undertakings function under the department:[2]
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