The transport department is responsible for the maintenance of public transport and has control over seven transport undertakings. The department is also the nodal agency of the state government for projects implemented by the Indian Railways, the department of communications and the civil aviation of the Government of India.[1][2]
Sub-departments
The commissionerate of transport (State Transport Authority) and Tamil Nadu motor vehicles maintenance department function under the department.
Transport authority
The state transport authority controls the major public transport agencies of the state: Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) and Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC).[3] It is also responsible for managing the licensing and permits for private buses.[4] As of 2023, the state transport units operated 20,213 buses apart from 7,814 private buses and 3,990 mini-buses.[4] TNSTC has six operational divisions operating under the department and operates most inter-city services and intra-city services except in Chennai while SETC operates long distances bus services connecting major towns.[3] MTC is responsible for public bus transportation in Chennai.[3]
The department also manages the following undertakings:[4]
Tamil Nadu Transport Development Finance Corporation (TDFC): Financing and budgeting for public transport infrastructure
Institute of Road Transport (IRT): Education and research on road transport
Pallavan Transport Consultancy Services (PTCS): Planning and consultancy on transport
The motor vehicle maintenance department is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all government owned vehicles including that of the chief minister.[5]
