[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 are state highways of length 6,805 kilometres (4,228 mi) which connect district headquarters, important towns and national highways in the state.