The Tamil Nadu government has sought the assistance of World Bank to turn around the highly-polluted waterways in the city into navigable channels, announced Public Works Minister Duraimurugan. while inspecting the on-going temporary de-silting and clearing works, the minister claimed that with the financial and technical assistance of World Bank, the Cooum would be beautified on the lines of the Thames in London. The primary focus will be on plugging the drainage outlets into the river permanently, said the minister.