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Transportation in Tamil Nadu

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Transportation in Tamil Nadu

The southern state of Tamil Nadu, a prominent name among the 29 states of the Republic of India, feature a highly modernized, substantially structured, well designed transport infrastructure with an effective transportation system, including both public and private transportation services.

Transport in Tamil Nadu


Being the cultural hot seat of India and a renowned tourist destination, Tamil Nadu impresses the local, national and international visitors alike with its first-class transportation services. The metropolitan city of Chennai is the capital city of Tamil Nadu that is known for its excellent road, rail and air connectivity to the rest of the parts of the country and several international destinations as well. Let's find out more about the transportation services in Tamil Nadu.

Road Network in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is one of the states in the country to feature excellent network of roads. The road network in the state extends about 153 km per 100 sq km area, which is more eminent than the nation's mean road network coverage of 103 km per 100 sq km area. An exclusive highways department for the state of Tamil Nadu was founded during the year 1946 as a subsection to Public Works Department. Subsequently, the department has been named again as Highways and Minor Ports Department (HMPD) on 30th October 2008.

Map of Road Network Tamil Nadu


The Highways and Minor Ports Department of Tamil Nadu is principally responsible for building and upkeep of roads in the state, including national highways, state highways and all district roads in the state. Also, the main objective of the Highways and Minor Ports Department (HMPD) is to devise laws, polices, ordinances and assorted plans based on the needs and demands of the citizens of the state from time to time.

Also Read: Transport in Chennai | Transport in Madurai | Transport in Coimbatore | Transportation in Trichy | Transport in Kancheepuram | Transport in Cuddalore | Transport in Ooty


What is more, the Highways and Minor Ports Department of Tamil Nadu runs seven branches of operations that geographically cover the 32 districts of the state with about 120 sections and 450 subsections. The branches and wings of the Highways and Minor Ports Department of Tamil Nadu include:

  • National Highways Wing
  • Construction and Maintenance Wing
  • NABARD and Rural Roads Wing
  • Projects Wing
  • Metro Wing
  • Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project Wing
  • Investigation and Designs Wing

National Highways in Tamil Nadu


The National Highways Wing, which is an integral division of the Highways and Minor Ports Department (HMPD) was originally launched during the year 1971 to manage the works of amending, upholding and reviving of National Highways constructed by the National Highways Authority of India, also known as NHAI - the independent authority of the Government of India, responsible for managing a network of over 43,496 miles of National Highways in the country.

Kathipara Junction

The national highways in Tamil Nadu connect important seaports, important urban centers of the state, significant manufacturing hubs and tourist spots. As of 30th March 2010, Tamil Nadu's road network has a total road distance of 1,23,678 miles. The southern state has about 8,858.89 miles of highways network, which include state highways and national highways on the basis of traffic intensity level and connectivity. Find below the assorted types of roads and their distances are given below:

Type of Road Network: State Highways
Single Lane: 32
Intermediate Lane: 1,414
Double Lane: 7,261
Multi Lane: 677
Length of the Road Network: 5830.947 miles

Type of Road Network: National Highways
Single Lane: 18
Intermediate Lane: 42
Double Lane: 2,685
Multi Lane: 2,128
Length of the Road Network: 3027.942 miles

Did you Know?

Total Length of the Road Network in Tamil Nadu (approx): 1,23,678 miles


Also Read:
Flyovers in Chennai


Highways in Tamil Nadu

There are almost 25 national highways in the southern state of Tamil Nadu and among them 25 national highways; twelve National Highways have their geographical limits within the state. National Highways wing exercises central government funds from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for improvement works. Find below the names of the various national highways in Tamil Nadu:

National Highways Plying inside Tamil Nadu

  • National Highway 66 links Tamil Nadu with the neighboring state of Karnataka and Puducherry UT

  • National Highway 47, National Highway 49, National Highway 208, National Highway 220 links Tamil Nadu with Kerala

  • National Highway 67, National Highway 207, National Highway 209 links Tamil Nadu with Karnataka

  • National Highway 205, National Highway 219 and National Highway 234 links Tamil Nadu with Andhra Pradesh

  • National Highway 4 links Tamil Nadu with Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh

  • National Highway 5 links Tamil Nadu with Orissa and Andhra Pradesh

  • National Highway 7 links Tamil Nadu with Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka

National Highways Plying through Tamil Nadu

Name of the Highway: National Highway 4
Route: From Andhra Pradesh Border - Thiruvalam - Walajepet - Ranipet - Kanchipuram - Sriperumbdur - Chennai
Length of the Highway: 76 miles

Name of the Highway: National Highway 5
Route: From Andhra Pradesh Border - Gummidipundi - Chennai
Length of the Highway: 28 miles

Name of the Highway: 7A
Route: Palayamkottai - Vagaikulam - Tuticorin
Length of the Highway: 32 miles

Name of the Highway: 45
Route: Chennai - Chengalpattu - Madurantakam - Melmaruvathur - Tindivanam - Vikravandi - Villupuram - Ulundurpettai - Perambalur - Trichy - Manapparai - Vadamadurai - Dindigul - Batlagundu - Periyakulam - Theni
Length of the Highway: 340 miles

Name of the Highway: 45A
Route: Villuppuram - Puducherry - Cuddalore - Chidambaram - Karaikal - Nagappattinam
Length of the Highway: 91 miles

Name of the Highway: 45B
Route: Tiruchirappalli - Viralimalai - Melur - Madurai - Aruppukottai - Ettaiyapuram - Thoothukudi
Length of the Highway: 160 miles

Name of the Highway: 45C
Route: Thanjavur - Kumbakonam - Sethiathoppu - Vadalur - Neyveli - Panruti - Vikravandi
Length of the Highway: 99 miles

Name of the Highway: 46
Route: Krishnagiri - Vaniyambadi - Vellore - Arcot - Ranipet
Length of the Highway: 92 miles

Name of the Highway: 47
Route: Salem - Sankagiri - Chithode - Perundurai - Perumanallur - Avinashi - Coimbatore - Palakkad - Thrissur - Chalakudi - Kochi -Alappuzha - Kollam - Trivandrum - Nagercoil - Kanyakumari
Length of the Highway: 226 miles

Name of the Highway: 49
Route: From Kerala Border - Bodinayakkanur - Theni - Andipatti - Usilampatti, Madurai - Tiruppuvanam - Manamadurai - Paramakudi - Ramanathapuram - Mandapam - Pamban - Rameswaram - Dhanushkodi
Length of the Highway: 180 miles

Name of the Highway: 67
Route: Nagappattinam - Thiruvarur - Thanjavur - National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli - Trichy - Kulithalai - Karur - Kangeyam - Palladam - Coimbatore - Ooty – Pykara - Gudalur up to Karnataka Border
Length of the Highway: 314 miles


Name of the Highway: 47B
Route: Nagercoil - Aralvaymozhi - Kavalkinaru
Length of the Highway: 28 miles

Name of the Highway: 68

Route: Salem - Valapadi - Pethanaickenpalayam -Attur - Chinnasalem - Kallakkurichchi - Ulundurpettai
Length of the Highway: 83 miles

Name of the Highway: 66
Route: Krishnagiri - Uthangarai - Chengam - Tiruvannamalai - Gingee - Tindivanam - Puducherry
Length of the Highway: 129 miles

Name of the Highway: 205

Route: From Andhra Pradesh Border - Tiruttani - Tiruvallur - Ambathur - Chennai
Length of the Highway: 51 miles

Name of the Highway: 207
Route: Hosur up to Karnataka Border
Length of the Highway: 12 miles

Name of the Highway: 209
Route: Dindigul - Palani - Udumalaippettai - Pollachi - Coimbatore - Sathyamangalam - Bannari up to Karnataka Border
Length of the Highway: 178 miles

Name of the Highway: 210
Route: Trichy - Pudukkottai - Tirumayam - Karaikkudi - Devakottai - Devipattinam - Ramanathapuram
Length of the Highway: 99 miles

Name of the Highway: 219
Route: From Andhra Pradesh Border to Krishnagiri
Length of the Highway: 14 miles

Name of the Highway: 220
Route: From Kerala Border - Gudalur - Cumbum - Uthamapalayam - Theni
Length of the Highway: 34 miles

Name of the Highway: 226
Route: Perambalur-Ariyalur-Thanjavur - Gandharvakottai - Pudukkottai - Thirumayam - Tirupattur - Madagupatti - Sivaganga - Manamadurai
Length of the Highway: 150 miles

Name of the Highway: 227
Route: Trichy - Lalgudi - Kallakudi - Udaiarpalayam - Jayamkondam - Gangaikondacholapuram - Kattumannarkoil - Lalpet - Chidambaram
Length of the Highway: 84 miles

Name of the Highway: 234
Route: From Andhra Pradesh Border to Peranampattu - Gudiyatham - Katpadi - Vellore - Polur - Tiruvanamalai - Villupuram
Length of the Highway: 145 miles

State Highways in Tamil Nadu (SHs)


State Highways in Tamil Nadu

Construction and Maintenance wing of the Highways and Minor Ports Department (HMPD) in Tamil Nadu manages laying and upkeep of the Major District Roads (MDR), State Highways aka SH and Other District Roads (ODR). It is important to mention that the state highways network in the southern state of Tamil Nadu has seven circles viz. Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem and Tirunelveli. Find below some of the important state highways of Tamil Nadu:

Name of the Road Stretch: Chennai - Ennore Express way Road
Name of the State Highway: SH 1
Districts Linked: Chennai, Thiruvallur
Length of the State Highway: 10.4 km

Name of the State Highway: Inner Ring Road (Jawaharlal Nehru Road)
Specification: SH 2
Districts Linked: Chennai
Length of the State Highway: 35 km

Name of the State Highway: Arcot - Tiruvettipuram - Vandavasi - Tindivanam Road
Specification: SH 5
Districts Linked: Vellore, Thiruvannamalai, Villupuram
Length of the State Highway: 94.6 km

Name of the State Highway: Villupuram - Mambalapattu - Tirukkovilur Road
Specification: SH 7
Districts Linked: Villupuram
Length of the State Highway: 35 km

Name of the State Highway: Cuddalore - Vridhachalam - Chinnasalem Road
Specification: SH 10
Districts Linked: Cuddalore, Villupuram
Length of the State Highway: 93.2 km

Name of the State Highway: Ooty - Kothagiri - Mettupalayam - Sathyamangalam - Gobichettipalayam - Erode
Specification: SH 15
Districts Linked: Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode
Length of the State Highway: 161.6 km

Name of the State Highway: Avinashi - Tirupur - Palladam - Pollachi - Cochin Road (Via) Meenkarai Road
Specification: SH 19
Districts Linked: Tirupur, Coimbatore rural
Length of the State Highway: 99.6 km

Name of the State Highway: Grand Anaicut - Kaveripattinam Road
Specification: SH 22
Districts Linked: Thanjavur, NagapattinM
Length of the State Highway: 125 km
Name of the State Highway: Trichy - Musiri - Namakkal Road
Specification: SH 25
Districts Linked: Tiruchirappalli, Namakkal
Length of the State Highway: 77.7 km

Name of the State Highway: Thanjavur - Pattukottai - Aranthangi - Karaikudi - Kallal - Kalaiyarkoil - Maravamangalam - Ilayankudi - Paramakudi - Mudukulathur - Sayalgudi Road
Specification: SH 29
Districts Linked: Thanjavur
Length of the State Highway: 24.1 km

Name of the State Highway: Srivilliputhur - Sivakasi - Virudhunagar - Aruppukottai - Tiruchuli - Narikudi - Parthibanur Road
Specification: SH 42
Districts Linked: Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram
Length of the State Highway: 109.3 km

Name of the State Highway: Marmalong Bridge - Irumbuliyur - Vandalur - Mudichur - Orgadam - Walajabad Road
Specification: SH 48
Districts Linked: Chennai, Kanchipuram
Length of the State Highway: 16.2 km

Name of the State Highway: Hogenakkal - Pennagaram - Dharmapuri - Tirupattur Road
Specification: SH 60
Districts Linked: Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Vellore
Length of the State Highway: 108.2 km

Name of the State Highway: Thanjavur - Mannargudi - Thiruthuraipoondi - Vedaranyam - Kodiakkarai Road
Specification: SH 63
Districts Linked: Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam
Length of the State Highway: 106.8 km


The following are state highways with urban stretches:

Road Number: SHU3
Name of the State Highway Urban Stretches Road: Chennai - Chittoor - Bangalore Road (Sriperumbudur Urban Limit)
Division: Chengalpattu
Road Length: 2.35 km

Road Number: SHU9
Name of the State Highway Urban Stretches Road: Chennai - Tirchy - Dindugal Road (Abandoned NH 45) (Srirangam Trichy bypass road)
Division: Tiruchirappalli
Road Length: 11.400 km

Road Number: SHU25
Name of the State Highway Urban Stretches Road: Madurai - Thanuskodi Road
Division: Sivagangai
Road Length: 1.600 km

Road Number: SHU6
Name of the State Highway Urban Stretches Road: Madurai - Kanyakumari Road (urban NH 7)
Division: Thoothukudi
Road Length: 9.220 km

Road Number: SHU30
Name of the State Highway Urban Stretches Road: Madurai - Kanyakumari Road (Thalapathisamudram Urban Limit) (Abandoned NH 7)
Division: Tirunelveli
Road Length: 1.600 km

Road Number: SHU33
Name of the State Highway Urban Stretches Road: Madurai - Kanyakumari Road (Virudhunagar town limit) (Abandoned NH 7)
Division: Virudhunagar
Road Length: 4.173 km

Road Number: SHU46
Name of the State Highway Urban Stretches Road: Old Salem - Cochin Road
Division: Salem
Road Length: 1.400 km

Road Number: SHU51
Name of the State Highway Urban Stretches Road: Salem - Cochin - Kanyakumari Road (Abandoned portion of NH47 at Nagercoil)
Division: Nagercoil
Road Length: 1.970 km

Road Number: SHU89
Name of the State Highway Urban Stretches Road: Nagapatinam - Gudalor - Mysore Road (Abandoned NH 67)
Division: Thanjavur
Road Length: 10.090 km

Road Number: SHU101
Name of the State Highway Urban Stretches Road: Varanasi - Kanyakumari Road (Abandoned NH7) Madurai - Thirumangalam
Division: Madurai
Road Length: 9.00 km

Major District Roads in Tamil Nadu (MDRs)


Velacherry Bypass Road

Major District Roads, also known as MDR are roads that offer connectivity between commercial centres inside a territorial dominion in Tamil Nadu. MDRs also extend linkage for zone and taluk headquarters with expressways and national highways. It is important to note that Major District Roads feature a minimal breadth of 15 meters. Find below some of the important Major District Roads (MDRs) in Tamil Nadu:

Name of the Road: Pallavaram - Kundrathur Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-319
Division: Chennai City Roads
Length of the Road Stretch: 6.80 km

Name of the Road: Taramani - Perungudi Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-452
Division: Chennai City Roads
Length of the Road Stretch: 2.01 km

Name of the Road: Velachery Bypass Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-543
Division: Chennai City Roads
Length of the Road Stretch: 1.90 km

Name of the Road: Annur Sirumugai Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-571
Division: Coimbatore
Length of the Road Stretch: 16.750 km

Name of the Road: Kokkulam - Uthappanaickanur Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-613
Division: Madurai
Length of the Road Stretch: 29.200 km

Name of the Road: Samayapuram - Keelakannukulam Road (via) Manachanallur - Thiruppanjali Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-823
Division: Tiruchirappalli
Length of the Road Stretch: 18.600 km

Name of the Road: Kattokottai - Sadasivapuram - Thidavorr Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-841
Division: Salem
Length of the Road Stretch: 14.00 km

Name of the Road: Moolakarai - Piranthiyankarai Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-838
Division: Nagapattinam
Length of the Road Stretch: 7.00 km

Name of the Road: Mannargudi - Thirumakkottai - Chockanavoor Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-840
Division: Thiruvarur
Length of the Road Stretch: 20.60 km

Name of the Road: Kaveripattinam - Pochampalli Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-862
Division: Krishnagiri
Length of the Road Stretch: 19.200 km

Name of the Road: Nangavaram - Perugamani Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-866
Division: Karur
Length of the Road Stretch: 2.600 km

Name of the Road: Karaipudhur - Valaithottathu Ayyan Kovil Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-871
Division: Tiruppur
Length of the Road Stretch: 6.40 km

Name of the Road: Pasur R.S - Vellodu Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-885
Division: Erode
Length of the Road Stretch: 27.100 km

Name of the Road: Kodai - Pallangi Road
Road Stretch Specification: MD-897
Division: Dindigul
Length of the Road Stretch: 9.400 km

Other District Roads in Tamil Nadu (ODRs)

Other District Roads in Tamil Nadu

Other district roads in Tamil Nadu include Major District Roads (MDRs), Other District Roads (ODRs), Special Roads and Rural and Sugarcane Roads which include Rajiv Gandhi Salai / IT Expressway, East Coast Road, Ennore-Manali Road Improvement Project (EMRIP), Outer Ring Road Project, Chennai Port - Maduravoyal Expressway and so on.

Glimpses of Road Network of Tamil Nadu

Type of Roads: National Highways (NH)
Total Stretch: 3027.942 miles

Type of Roads: State Highways (SH)
Total Stretch: 5830.947 miles

Type of Roads: Major District Roads (MDR)
Total Stretch: 7014.038 miles

Type of Roads: Other District Roads (ODR)
Total Stretch: 22429.015 miles

Type of Roads: Panchayat Roads and Other Departments Roads
Total Stretch: 85375.7804 miles

Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC)

Public transportation services in the southern state of Tamil Nadu are primarily operated by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC).
TNSTC Bus

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation is regarded as the largest public bus transport organization in the world and is long-familiar for its coverage almost in every village of Tamil Nadu. TNSTC is wholly owned and controlled by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The public bus transport operator offers its services covering all the districts of Tamil Nadu and also runs buses to bordering states and union territories which include Pondicherry, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

TNSTC plies a wide range of buses for inter and intra bus routes and city routes as well. Furthermore, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation is divided into nine transport divisions which include

Name of the Division: TNSTC Kumbakonam
Areas Covered: Kumbakonam, Tiruchirappalli, Pudukottai, Karur, Nagapattinam, Karaikudi
Headquarters: Kumbakonam
Code: 454/TAJ

Name of the Division: TNSTC Coimbatore
Areas Covered: Coimbatore, Erode, Nilgiris, Tirupur
Headquarters: Coimbatore
Code: 191/CBE

Name of the Division: TNSTC Madurai
Areas Covered: Dindigul, Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar
Headquarters: Madurai
Code: 459/MDU

Name of the Division: TNSTC Salem
Areas Covered: Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Salem
Headquarters: Salem
Code: SLM/394

Name of the Division: TNSTC Villupuram
Areas Covered: Cuddalore, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Villupuram
Headquarters: Villupuram
Code: 19/VPM

Name of the Division: TNSTC Tirunelveli
Areas Covered: Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli   
Headquarters: Tirunelveli
Code: 464/TIN

Name of the Division: TNSTC Thoothukudi
Areas Covered: Thoothukudi and bordering districts
Headquarters: Thoothukudi

Name of the Division: Metropolitan Transport Corporation in Chennai (MTC)
Areas Covered: Chennai Metropolitian Area and its suburbs
Headquarters: Chennai
Code: 77/MDS

Name of the Division: State Express Transport Corporation (SETC)
Areas Covered: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Puduchery
Headquarters: Chennai
Code: 77/MDS

The public bus transporter has 294 bus depots and five workshops. It also extends rental and tourist services to various destinations. Every TNSTC bus in the state exhibits a portrayal of Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar and a Thirukkural inside the bus.

Important Contact Numbers - Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC)

TNSTC Helpline Number for e-Booking and Mobile Booking: 044-25364656
TNSTC Customer Care Number Bangalore: 080-22876974
TNSTC Customer Care Number Chennai: 044-24791899
TNSTC Customer Care Number Trivandrum: 0471-2343087
TNSTC Customer Care Number Kanyakumari: 04652-246285
TNSTC Customer Care Number Puducherry: 0413-2202014
TNSTC Customer Care Number Nagapattinam: 04365-247825
TNSTC Customer Care Number Ccoimbatore: 0422-2432939
TNSTC Customer Care Number Salem: 0427-2412960
TNSTC Customer Care Number Madurai: 0452-2566820

Various Classes of Buses Operated by TNSTC
  • Air Conditioned Volvo Buses
  • Air Conditioned Video Coaches
  • Ultra Deluxe Coaches
  • Classic Buses
  • Video Coaches/Super Deluxe Buses
  • General Buses

State Express Transport Corporation (SETC)

Formerly called as Thiruvalluvar Transport Corporation, the SETC is a Public Sector Corporation that functions under the Ministry of Transport of the State (Government of Tamil Nadu) that operates long distance bus services (exceeding 300 km and above) all over Tamil Nadu and important urban centres in bordering states.
SETC Bus

The State Express Transport Corporation plies three classes of bus services that include Air conditioned buses, Ultra deluxe buses and deluxe buses. SETC offers reservation and advance booking facilities for all its buses. The advance reservation for SETC buses commences one month before the travel date. Bookings can be done SETC reservation counters or online.

Mini-bus Services Scheme of Tamil Nadu

In an attempt to help the population of unserviceable and inadequately served areas in Tamil Nadu, the Government of Tamil Nadu launched an impressive 'Mini-bus Services Scheme' which is to be operated primarily by private players.

Tamil Nadu Mini-bus Services

During the year 1999, the scheme is altered by the government, which enables mini buses to extend their service for a total distance of 20 km, with an overlapping distance of 4 km along the served areas. At present, there are 3,959 mini buses plying along the rural, semi-urban and urban areas of Tamil Nadu.

Apart from the government run public transport options, Tamil Nadu is also equipped with several private transport players who operate buses and taxi cabs and many other vehicles for the benefit of local population and visitors. Some of the important private transport options (intra and inter city) of Tamil Nadu include Private Bus Services, Call Taxis and Auto Rickshaws.

Private Bus Services in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Private Bus Services

Private Bus Service companies in the state operate daily bus services to important cities of Tamil Nadu and to cities of neighboring states like Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai, Nellai, Vellore, Kanchipuram, Kanyakumari, Erode, Bangalore, Mysore, Hyderabad, Kerala and so on. Some of the popular names in private bus services in Tamil Nadu include KPN Travels India, SRM Transports, RPN Travels, Parveen Travels, SRS Travels, Kallada Tours and Travels and so on.

Also Read: Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus | Bus Routes in Chennai | Road Transport in Madurai | Road Transport in Salem

Call Taxi Services in Tamil Nadu

Owing to the fact that city buses are crowded during peak hours, Tamil Nadu has become a dream destination for private call taxi operators. During the past 3 three years, the southern state has witnessed several call taxi services launching their operations across the important cities of Tamil Nadu. Some of the popular call taxi services in Tamil Nadu include Taxiforsure, Friends cabs, Fast track call taxi, NTL call taxi, OLA cabs, Orange call taxi and so on.

Also Read:
Cab Services in Chennai | Taxi Services in Salem

Auto Rickshaws in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Auto Rickshaws

Auto rickshaws are considered as a paratransit transportation system that is one of the easily accessible transport options in the state. Auto rickshaws remain uncomparable in their transport segment of offering house-to-house transportation system and last-mile connectivity at a low-priced travel to a majority of the Tamil population. Despite the abundant services of government buses, private buses, call taxis and trains, connectivity continues to be an unsolved problem across the urban centers of Tamil Nadu.

Auto rickshaws are the single mode of transport that extends the missing link to the connectivity issues in the state. On the other hand, auto rickshaws come associated with various problems like overcharging, traffic violations and so on. Nevertheless, auto rickshaws continue to be one of the most used modes of transport option in the state.

Also Read: Autos in Chennai

Important Contact Information - Tamil Nadu Transport Department

Minister for Transport, Nationalised Transport, Motor Vehicles Act
Thiru V. Senthil Balaji
Phone Number: 044- 25672232

Secretary to Government
Dr T. Prabhakara Rao, I.A.S (Addl.Chief Secretary to Government)
Phone Number: 044-25671475

Minister for Highways and Minor Ports Department
Thiru Edappadi K. Palaniswami
Phone Number: 044-25673037

Secretary to Government
Thiru Rajeev Ranjan I.A.S (Principal Secretary to Govt)
Phone Number: 044-25670959

Transport Commissioner
Thiru. Satyabrata Sahoo
Transport Department, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai - 600005
Phone Number: 044-28520682, 28414550

Joint Transport Commissioner (Rules)
Thiru. R. Radhakrishnan
Transport Department, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai - 600005
Phone Number: 044-28583497

Joint Transport Commissioner (Road Safety )(i/c)
Thiru. P. Vijayaraj
Transport Department, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai - 600005
Phone Number: 044-28588989

Deputy Transport Commissioner (II)
Thiru C. Selvanathan
Transport Department, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai - 600005
Phone Number: 044-28414550

State Express Transport Corporation Tamil Nadu Ltd.,
Head Office, Thiruvalluvar House,
Pallavan Salai,
Chennai - 600002
Email: commercial@tnstc.in
Phone number: 1800-419-4287, 044-25366351

Rail Transport in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu feature excellent rail connectivity extended by the Southern Railway. Established during the 1951, the Southern Railway is one among the 17 railway zones of Indian Railways launched in Independent India. The Southern Railway was formed by uniting three state railways, that is to say, the South Indian Railway Company, the Mysore State Railway and the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway.

Southern Railway HQ

It is recorded that more than 500 million passengers use Southern Railways annually. Furthermore, for the purpose of better administration, the Southern Railway is divided into six railway divisions, each headed by a Divisional Railway Manager. Among the six divisions of the Southern Railway, four divisions are located in Tamil Nadu and they are Chennai, Madurai, Salem and Tiruchirappalli.

There are 532 railway stations in Tamil Nadu and the state has a total railway track length of 5,952 km. Some of the most important railway stations of Tamil Nadu include

Name of the Station: Chennai Central Railway Station
Station Code: MAS
Platforms: 15
Tracks: 15
Location: EVR Periyar Salai, Park Town, Chennai - 03
Connectivity: Frequent trains are operated from Chennai central to New Delhi, Mumbai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Bhopal, Bangalore, Lucknow, Patna, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram and so on
Significance: Approximately 350,000 travelers use this railway station on a daily basis


Name of the Station: Chennai Egmore Railway Station
Station Code: MS
Platforms: 11
Tracks: 15
Location: Station Road, Chennai
Connectivity: Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Madurai, Trichy, Villupuram, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, Gaya, Jodhpur, Kakinada, Rameswaram, Guruvayur, Varanasi, Bhubaneshwar, Vijayawada and so on
Significance: Approximately 50,000 passengers use this terminus on a daily basis

Name of the Station: Coimbatore Junction Railway Station
Station Code: CBE
Location: State Bank Road, Coimbatore
Connectivity: Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Jaipur, Nagercoil, Thoothukudi, Rajkot, Mannargudi, Rameswaram, Bikaner, Mangalore, Tirupati, Trichur and so on
Significance: Graded A1 railway station and second busiest railway station in the state

Also Read:
Coimbatore to Chennai | Coimbatore to Delhi | Coimbatore to Erode | Coimbatore to Hyderabad | Coimbatore to Mumbai | Coimbatore to Salem | Coimbatore to Trichy | Coimbatore to Tirupati | Coimbatore to Palakkad | Coimbatore to Mangalore | Coimbatore to Madurai | Coimbatore to Goa | Coimbatore to Ernalukum | Coimbatore to Cochin

Name of the Station: Erode Junction Railway Station
Station Code: ED
Platforms: 04
Tracks: 12
Location: Erode, Tamil Nadu
Connectivity: Chennai, Mettur, Trichy, Jolarpettai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Palghat, Salem, Karur, Tiruppur and so on
Significance: Third cleanest railway station in India

Name of the Station: Madurai Junction Railway Station
Station Code: MDU
Platforms: 08
Tracks: 11
Location: West Veli Street, Madurai
Connectivity: Chennai, Kanyakumari, Rameswaram, Bodinayakannur, Thoothukudi, Karaikudi, Chandigarh, Pazhani, Villupuram, Guruvayur, Thiruvananthapuram, Mysore, Coimbatore and so on

Name of the Station: Tirunelveli Junction Railway Station
Station Code: TEN
Platforms: 05
Tracks: 05
Location: Railway Feeder Road, Tirunelveli
Connectivity: Dadar, Trichy, Jammu Tawi, Chennai, Mumbai, Howrah, Pondicherry, Bangalore, Nizamudin, Rameswaram, Madurai, Punalur, Trivandrum, Guruvayur, Hapa and so on

Name of the Station: Tiruchirappalli Junction Railway Station
Station Code: TPJ
Platforms: 08
Tracks: 16
Location: Rockins Road, Tiruchirapalli
Connectivity: Chennai, Tirunelveli, Kolkata, Mayiladuthurai, Pondicherry and so on
Significance: Approximately 1,00,000 passengers use this station on a daily basis


Name of the Station: Salem Junction Railway Station
Station Code: SA
Tracks: 08
Location: Junction Main road, Suramanagalam, Salem
Connectivity: Chennai, Vellore, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mysore, Mettur, Tiruppur, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Bhopal, Indore, Nagpur, Vijayawada, Dindigul, Madurai and so on
Significance: Approximately 50,000 passengers use this station on a daily basis

Also Read: Railway Stations in Cuddalore | Trains from Cuddalore Port Junction | Trains from Tiruppadirippuliyur Railway Station | Railway Station in Kumbakonam | Trains to Ooty

Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) in Tamil Nadu

Chennai MRTS

A metropolitan elevated railway line controlled by the Southern Railway, Mass Rapid Transit System is regarded as the first elevated railway line in the country. MRTS Chennai line presently stretches from Chennai Beach to Velachery, extending a distance of 15.53 miles km with 21 stations.

Quick Facts:
Launched: 1995
Type of Transit: Rapid Transit
Number of Lines: 01
Number of Stations: 21
Length of MRTS: 06 and 09 coaches
Track Gauge: Braod Guage
Ridership: Arroximately 76,800 on a daily basis

Note: The much-aniticipted Chennai Metreo, yet another rapid transport project in Chennai is under construction and is expected to be on track by the fiscal year of 2014-2015.

Sea Ports in Tamil Nadu


Amongst the coastal states of India, Tamil Nadu has the second longest coastline of 1,076 km (668.595 miles) with three major seaports and 17 non-major seaports. The three major seaports of Tamil Nadu include

  • Chennai Port
  • Kamarajar Port Limited (Ennore Port)
  • V.O.Chidambaranar Port (Tuticorin Port)

Ports in Tamil NaduChennai Port


Formerly known as Madras Port, the Chennai Port is regarded as the second largest seaport and third oldest seaport in the country. Established almost 133 year ago, Chennai Port is an all-weather port with wet docks that provides access to ships and boats. The Chennai Port is one of the important factors contributing to the economic growth of the state. Besides, the major port is the principal reason for Chennai being called as the 'Gateway of South India'.

Quick Facts:
UN/LOCODE: INMAA
World Port Index Number: 49450
Owned and Operated by: Chennai Port Trust, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India
Type of Harbor: Coastal bulwark, Artificial, Large seaport
Size of Harbor: 420 acres
Cargos Handled (Landed and Shipped): Machineries, Crude oil, Edible oil, Copra coke, Cement, Naphtha, VCM, Gas, Steaming coal, Fertilizer and so on

Address:

Port of Chennai
1 Rajaji Salai
Chennai - 600 001
Tamil Nadu
Tel : 25312000/25362201
Fax : 25361228
Email : info@chennaiport.gov.in
Port Helpline : 12777
Website: https://www.chennaiport.gov.in/


Important Seaports in Tamil NaduKamarajar Port Limited

Popularly called as Ennore Port and officially called as Kamarajar Port Limited, this seaport is situated on the Coromandel Coast, just 24 km away from the Chennai Port. Ranked 12th among the major ports of India, the Ennore Port is the first port in the country to be declared as a public company. Licensed in 2001 and functioning on a landlord port concept, the Ennore Port is obtaining operations and maintenance services from outside suppliers on a contract basis. By the year 2016, the Ennore Port is anticipated to have the facilities to manage over 80 million tons of shipment.

Quick Facts:
UN/LOCODE: INENR
Owned and Operated by: Kamarajar Port Limited
Type of Harbor: Artificial
Cargos Handled: Rock mineral products, Thermal coal, LNG, Chemicals, Iron ore and so on
Highlights: Government of India has granted Category-I Mini Ratna status to Kamarajar Port Limited

Address:
KAMARAJAR PORT LIMITED
(Erstwhile Ennore Port Limited)
CIN:U45203TN1999GOI043322
No.23, First Floor,
P.T. Lee Chengalvaraya Naicker Maaligai
Rajaji Salai
Chennai - 600 001
Phones: +91-44-25251666 (5lines)
Fax: +91-44-25251665
Email: info@epl.gov.in
Website: https://www.ennoreport.gov.in/

V.O.Chidambaranar PortV.O.Chidambaranar Port


Widely known as Tuticorin Port and officially named as V.O.Chidambaranar Port is one among the 12 major seaports of India. Touted as the second most prominent in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, V.O.Chidambaranar Port is the third international port of the state. The port deals with both containers and cruise liners. Apart from the container terminals, the Tuticorin Port also houses a passenger terminal for cruise liners. It is significant that the V.O.Chidambaranar Port presently manages seven per cent of the total container traffic in the country. Furthermore, the port is provided with facilities to handle watercrafts which are longer than 245 m.

Quick Facts:
UN/LOCODE: INTUT
Owned and Operated by: V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India
Type of Harbor: Artificial medium-sized seaport
Size of HArbor: 960 acres
Cargos Handled: Coal, Building materials, Sugar, Rock phosphate, Petroleum products, Oils, Ore and so on
Highlights: Due to its advantageous location in the southern peninsula, the V.O.Chidambaranar Port has the potentiality to be an international container transshipment hub in near future

Address:
V.O.Chidambaranar Port
Telephone: (0461) 2352290
Fax: (0461) 2352301
Email: info@vocport.gov.in
Website: https://www.vocport.gov.in/

Governments Ports in Tamil Nadu


Tamil Nadu is the home of seven Government Ports that administrated and developed by the Government of Tamil Nadu as a multi user-multipurpose seaport. Some of the important Government Ports in Tamil Nadu include

Government ports in Tamil NaduCuddalore Port


Cuddalore Port is an anchorage seaport located at the meeting point of the rivers Paravanar and Uppanar along the Bay of Bengal. Vessels that carry freight drop anchor in the open sea and loading & unloading of freight happens with the help of flat bottom boats for carrying heavy loads.

Pamban PortPamban Port


A historic port located in the district of Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu links east and west seacoast thru the Pamban Pass. Small vessels, flatboats, fishing boats navigate through the Pamban channel by opening the Pamban Rail Bridge by railway officers.

Port in KanyakumariKanyakumari Port


Situated on the south most tip of mainland India, the Kanyakumari Port links Vivekananda Rock and the massive Thiruvalluvar Statue. The ferry service to Thiruvalluvar statue and Rock memorial is operated by the Poompuhar Shipping Corporation Limited.

Some of the other important Government Ports in Tamil Nadu include Nagapattinam Port, Valinokkam Port, Rameswaram Port and Colachel Port.

Captive Ports in Tamil Nadu


Captive Ports are built and modernized by commercial enterprises, who establish industries that demand port installations. Some of the popular Captive Ports in Tamil Nadu include Kattupalli Port, Thiruchopuram Port, Kaveri Port, Punnakkayal Port, Thirukkadaiyur Port and so on.

Important Contact Information

Tamil Nadu Maritime Board
No. 171, South Kesavaperumal Puram
off Greenways Road,
Raja Anna Malai puram
Chennai - 600 028

Air Transport in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu features excellent air connectivity to many national and international destinations. The southern state is the home of the Chennai International Airport, which is regarded as the third busiest airport in the country. The Chennai airport is also considered as the second largest cargo hub in India, next only to Mumbai. Amplified commercial activities in the state have brought about an increase in passenger traffic and cargo movement which has been flourishing at over 18 % annually.

Important Airports in Tamil Nadu

Chennai International Airport (IATA: MAA, ICAO: VOMM)

Airport of Chennai

The third busiest airport in India, Chennai airport is the first airport in the country to house domestic and international terminals adjacent to one another.

Did you Know?
Chennai airport is the first international airport in India to obtain ISO 9001-2000 certification.




Serving for: Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvalur, Vellore
Hub for: Air costa, Air India, Jet airways, Spice jet, Blue dart aviation
Aircraft Movements: 325 aircraft movements on a daily basis
Busiest International routes from Chennai Airport: Dubai, Singapore, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Sharjah, Abu dhabi, Muscat, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jeddah, New York, Mauritius and so on

Also Read:
Airlines in Chennai | International Flights from Chennai | Flights from Chennai | International Flights from Chennai

Coimbatore International Airport (IATA: CJB, ICAO: VOCB)

Airport of Coimbatore

The primary international airport serving the commercial urban centre of Coimbatore, the Coimbatore International Airport is 13th largest airport in terms of cargo activity and 18th most prominent airport in terms of passenger movements in the country.

Hub for: Air arabia, Spice jet, Jet airways, Silkair, Air India, IndiGo
Busiest National and International Routes from Coimbatore Airport: Sharjah, Bangalore, Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Singapore, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kozhikode, Chennai, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Mumbai and so on.

Also Read: Coimbatore to Goa | Coimbatore to Kolkata | Coimbatore to Pune | Coimbatore to Mumbai | Coimbatore to Hyderabad | Coimbatore to Delhi | Coimbatore to Chennai | Coimbatore to Ahmedabad

Tiruchirappalli International Airport (IATA: TRZ, ICAO: VOTR)

Airport of Trichy

The third largest airport in Tamil Nadu after Chennai and Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli International Airport is the primary airport serving the city of Trichy and neighboring districts. Touted as one of the fastest growing airport in Tamil Nadu, Trichy airport is an ISO 9001:2008 certified airport.

Hub for: Air Asia, Air India express, JetKonnect, Malindo air, Sri Lankan airlines, Tigerair
Businest National and International Routes from Trichy Airport: Kuala Lumpur, Chennai, Colombo, Singapore, Dubai and so on


Madurai Airport (IATA: IXM, ICAO: VOMD)

Airport of Madurai

Established in 1957, Madurai Airport is customs airport situated just 12 km from the Madurai junction.

Hub for: Air India, Jet airways, Spicejet, Mihin Lanka
Busiest National and International Routes from Madurai Airport: Chennai, Mumbai, Colombo, Hambantota, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Dubai, Hyderabad, Port Blair and so on


Salem Airport (IATA: SXV, ICAO: VOSM)

Airport of Salem

Located just 15 km away from the city center of Salem, Salem Airport is the primary domestic airport serving Salem, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri.

Tuticorin Airport (IATA: TCR)

Domestic Airport of Tuticorin

A domestic airport situated just 17 km away from the city center of Thoothukudi; Tuticorin Airport is the primary airport serving Tuticorin and Tirunelveli.
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