It was built between 1885 and 1896 at the order of Menteri Besar of Kedah at the time, Wan Mat Saman.
It symbolised the transition from the conventional way of life to the modern system.
Traditional Malay & Chinese houses, as well as new schools, shops, mosques, and cemeteries dotted the canal but the remaining part in Tandop, in the outskirts of Alor Setar have been covered by the municipal council in the road-widening project.
Sometimes road users can spot traditional nets hanging from a bamboo poles (tangkui), ducks swimming around, schools of freshwater fish and even small rafts built by kids.
A few artifacts have been discovered along the aqueduct including keris daggers.