Indore’s Cleanest City Title: FRP’s Hidden Contribution

Indore has earned the prestigious title of India’s cleanest city for several consecutive years under the Swachh Survekshan rankings, becoming a national benchmark for urban sanitation, waste management, and public health. While much of the credit goes to advanced solid waste segregation, citizen participation, and efficient municipal systems, one of the lesser-known yet significant contributors to this success is the adoption of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) infrastructure components.

Behind the city's clean roads, odor-free drainage systems, and theft-free utilities lies a quiet revolution of materials science. The use of FRP manhole cover , drainage gratings, trench covers, and utility panels has played a crucial role in keeping Indore’s public spaces not only clean but also safe, durable, and low-maintenance. Let’s explore how FRP has become the unsung hero of Indore’s urban transformation.

The Urban Sanitation Challenge

Every Indian city faces the challenges of maintaining underground drainage systems, preventing waterlogging, and managing sanitation-related infrastructure. Traditionally, concrete or cast iron manhole covers have been used in sewer networks. But there are few challanges in front of these materials

• Corrosion in acidic or chemical environments

• Frequent theft due to metal resale value

• Heavyweight requiring machinery for installation

• Cracking and crumbling due to weather stress

These problems often lead to broken or missing manhole covers, exposed drains, foul odors, and blockages—each contributing to the decline in cleanliness levels and public health safety.

How FRP Changed the Game in Indore

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP), a composite made of polymer resin reinforced with glass or carbon fibers, offers a modern solution to urban sanitation infrastructure. Indore’s municipal authorities have proactively adopted FRP-based components across the city’s drainage and sewer systems.

1. Elimination of Theft

One of the most persistent issues with cast iron covers was theft for scrap value. FRP covers have zero resale value in the scrap market, eliminating this problem entirely. With no missing covers, public safety improved, and garbage no longer accumulated in open manholes.

2. Odor Control and Leak Prevention

Indore's underground sewage network has been upgraded with airtight FRP manhole covers fitted with rubber gaskets, which prevent foul gas emissions. This has drastically reduced unpleasant odors in residential and commercial areas, directly enhancing citizen satisfaction—one of the key scoring metrics in Swachh Survekshan surveys.

3. Corrosion and Chemical Resistance

Indore, like many cities, faces challenges with chemical-laden waste entering the drainage system. FRP’s non-corrosive nature ensures that manhole covers and trench gratings do not degrade or leak over time.

4. Quick and Easy Installation

FRP covers are lightweight yet extremely strong, making them easier to transport and install, even in densely packed neighborhoods or during emergency repairs. This allows city maintenance teams to work efficiently without disrupting traffic or daily life.

Impact on Cleanliness and Swachh Survekshan Rankings

FRP’s role, though often overlooked, directly aligns with key assessment criteria under Swachh Survekshan:

• Service Level Progress: Better infrastructure leads to better waste and sewage management.

• Direct Observation: Clean, covered drains and odor-free zones score higher.

• Citizen Feedback: Residents appreciate safer, cleaner streets.

• Sustainability: FRP reduces replacement frequency, aligning with green goals.

Conclusion

Indore’s success as India’s cleanest city isn’t just about sweeping streets or running awareness drives. It’s about smart planning, modern materials, and sustainable execution. FRP technology, though hidden beneath the surface, has been pivotal in transforming Indore’s sanitation infrastructure. By eliminating theft, reducing odors, preventing leaks, and offering durable alternatives to outdated systems, FRP has earned its place as a silent but significant contributor to the city’s remarkable cleanliness journey.

As more cities look to replicate Indore’s model, embracing FRP could be the hidden key to unlocking a cleaner, smarter, and safer urban India.