Government of Tamil Nadu has the unique distinction of creating a separate Highways Department as early as in 1946 exclusively to attend to "Roads and Bridges" in the State. It was a part of Public Works Department earlier but is now a separate and distinct Department with one Director General ,eight Chief Engineers and support Engineering staff. The newly formed Secretariat under the Secretary, Highways Department came into being in 1996. The objectives of the department are to maintain and improve the roads under the control of the Government, and to provide all weather road connectivity to rural habitations. Tamil Nadu was the forerunner in bringing out a standard specifications for the roads and bridges in the year 1954. The Department is also in-charge of improvement and maintenance of National Highways in the State.

VISION 

To serve our customers, the road users of Tamil Nadu by providing High Quality, Cost Effective, Environment - Friendly Road Network that is Reliable and Safe, contributing to Sustainable Economic Development and Social Well-being of the State, by applying Innovation, Best Practices, appropriate Technology and responsible Management of Internal and External Resources.