The structure of Ministry has been frequently transformed since its inception to accommodate national requirements. In 1919, during the reign of Naser Al-Din Shah Qajar, the Ministry of Public Works was established and it became responsible for affairs related to the construction of roads, bridges, and road maintenances. Years later, this Ministry tended to other missions like trade and agriculture since it was titled asMinistry of Public Works, Trade, and Agriculture. Road maintenance expenses in these periods were provided by taking
taking road tolls in the tollhouses. Usually, this amount did not exceeded from 3 million Rials. In 1925, an adminnistartive office titled as Administartive Office of Roads was established in the Ministry of Public Works, Trade, and Agriculture to take effective actions in construction of roads, maintenance and operations. This office divided the roads into different regions and assigned them duties to administer roads maintenance and repair. Since 1929, as by a law enacted through National Assembly, the Administartive Office of Roads transformed into a Ministry which further expanded the road construction and continued related plans and projects. In 1936, through a law enacted from the National Assembly,Ministry of Roads was establsihed. On 07/07/1974, the Ministry s previous title changed into the Ministry of Roads and Transportation in order to implement comprehensive and coordinated policy for transportation of the country and to develop, equip, expand and build related infrastructures according to social, economic, development and national defense requirements in compliance with the rules. On 21/06/2011, by the Parliament and the Council of Guardians approval, the Ministry of Roads and Transportation was merged with Ministry of Housing and Urban Development leading to the formation of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development. Thus, the jurisdiction of this Ministry has expanded to include the provision of main infrastructures including road, rail, air, and sea transport, regulating and administrating transport affairs and establishing coordinated and comprehensive policies for it as well as land management, housing sector, construction and urban planning regulations.
