KARUR, August 7: The 20-km long Kaatuvari surplus channel has been completely desilted. This is the first large-scale project to be completed in the Stae under the Chief Minister's Namakku Naame scheme. Encroachments had reduced the original 60 ft width of the channel to just 15 ft through the years. The channel is considered a lifeline for nine villages, and the CM, M Karunanidhi, had promised to have it disilted 40 years ago, while he was an MLA.
