India, April 4 -- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is reinforcing its 100-year-old underground storm water arch drains in Mumbai city and suburbs to increase its lifespan by at least 50 years, using a new technology that will improve water flow and speed up rainwater drainage during heavy spells of rain.

The British-era drains will be fortified using geopolymer lining trenchless technology. Geo-polymer is a mineral-based chemical material made from aluminosilicate powders (such as fly ash or metakaolin) mixed with alkaline solution, which reacts chemically to form a ceramic-like solid structure. It is used to line the inside of the drain to prevent leaks and allows smooth flow of water.

Phase 1 of the project, at a cost of R...