Centre suspends toll collection on NHs in Tamil Nadu

New Delhi: Government on Thursday said it has ordered suspension of toll collection on all National Highways in Tamil Nadu till December 11 in view of the flood situation caused by unprecedented rains in the state.

"In view of the flood situation caused by unprecedented rains in Tamil Nadu, the Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari has ordered suspension of toll collection on all National Highways in the state till December 11, 2015," an official statement said.

The order is to come into force with immediate effect and has been issued to ease the rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations being undertaken by various central and state agencies on war footings and to help the stranded and marooned people in different parts of the state, the statement said.

Rescue and relief operations were in full swing today in the worst flood-affected areas of Chennai and suburbs and neighbouring districts, which enjoyed a welcome respite from torrential rains as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a Rs 1,000 crore more aid to Tamil Nadu.