the canal was used to convey goods up and down the coast from vijayawada to madras (now chennai). the cyclones of 1965/1966 and 1976 damaged the canal, and it is little used and no longer well maintained. within the city of chennai the canal is badly polluted from sewage and industrial effluents, and the silting up of the canal has left the water stagnant, creating an attractive habitat for malaria-spreading mosquitoes. the north chennai thermal power station (nctp) discharges hot water and fly ash into the canal. in agricultural areas south of chennai, the former tow path along the scenic areas is used for light motorcycle and bicycle traffic. on 1 january 2001 the government of india launched a project to prevent sewage discharge into the canal and chennai's other waterways, and to dredge the canal to remove accumulated sediment and improve water flow.