Department of Highways and Minor Ports (Tamil Nadu)

The Department of Highways and Minor Ports is one of the departments of Government of Tamil Nadu.

History
The Government of Tamil Nadu created the highways department in 1946 as sub-department to public works department. A separate highways department was formed in 1996.

Objective and functions
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.

Infrastructure
Tamil Nadu has an extensive road network covering about 2.71 lakh km as of 2023 with a road density of 2084.71 km per 1000 km2 which is higher than the national average of 1926.02 km per 1000 km2. The department operates through eleven wings with 120 divisions and maintains 73187 km of highways in the state. There are state highways of length 6805 km which connect district headquarters, important towns and national highways in the state.
 * Road

There is an intermediate sea port at Nagapattinam and sixteen other minor ports which are managed by the department.
 * Water

Sub-departments
The following undertakings function under the department:
 * Tamil Nadu Highways Department (TNHD)
 * Tamil Nadu Maritime Board (TNMB)
 * Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project (TNRSP)
 * Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC)
 * Tamil Nadu Road Infrastructure Development Corporation (TNRIDC)
 * Poompuhar Shipping Corporation (PSC)

Ministers

 * E. V. Velu (2021–present)
 * Edappadi Palanisamy (2011–21)
 * M. P. Saminathan (2006–11)