Tunnel Safety Gets a Bold Upgrade on India’s Samruddhi Expressway
India’s infrastructure story is accelerating at a breath-taking pace, with bold projects reshaping the nation’s transport backbone. Among these, the Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway stands out as a symbol of ambition and progress. Connecting Nagpur to Mumbai, this high-speed corridor is dotted with engineering marvels, including Maharashtra’s longest and widest tunnel.
But beyond the impressive stats and scale, this tunnel also marks a critical leap in how India approaches safety within complex transport systems. At the heart of this transformation is Supreme Bituchem India Pvt. Ltd., whose pioneering work is setting a new national benchmark.
“This isn’t just a tunnel; it’s a turning point,” said a senior project official. “What Supreme Bituchem has delivered here is a showcase of what Indian engineering is now capable of — smart, safe, and sustainable.”
A Tunnel That Does More Than Just Connect
More than a route between two destinations, the tunnel on the Samruddhi Expressway has emerged as a flagship for future-ready infrastructure. Designed to endure intense usage and harsh conditions, the structure demanded cutting-edge safety measures that could meet global standards.
Supreme Bituchem stepped in to deliver exactly that. Known for its innovative surface technologies and commitment to quality, the company was entrusted with safeguarding one of India’s most vital underground corridors. And they didn’t disappoint.
In high-stakes projects like these, every inch of safety matters. Supreme Bituchem introduced two standout solutions that are now being hailed as game-changers in tunnel safety engineering across the country:
Supercrate FPC – Fire Doesn’t Stand a Chance
One of the biggest threats in enclosed transport systems is fire. With Supercrate FPC, Supreme Bituchem brought a robust line of defence into play. This fire protection coating was meticulously applied over a massive 186,000+ square metres within the tunnel, acting as a thermal shield against extreme temperatures.
“Supercrate FPC isn’t just a coat of paint,” explained a company spokesperson. “It’s a tested and proven fire-resistant barrier that gives authorities precious extra time in emergencies, protecting both lives and infrastructure.”
The coating adheres to stringent international fire safety norms and demonstrates exceptional performance under duress. It’s also designed for long-term durability, minimising the need for frequent reapplications.
SHELLOXY LR 100 – Lighting the Way Forward
While fire resistance is critical, visibility can make or break tunnel safety. That’s where SHELLOXY LR 100 comes in. This light-reflective coating was developed to enhance visibility inside the tunnel, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and improving driving conditions.
Applied across key interior surfaces, this innovation ensures better illumination with less energy expenditure. Over time, it also reduces operational and maintenance costs. In short, it’s a win-win for safety and sustainability.
“By using SHELLOXY LR 100, we’ve created a safer tunnel environment while helping operators save on energy bills — and that’s smart engineering,” noted another Supreme Bituchem engineer.
Project Highlights
- First-of-its-kind tunnel safety application in India
- Over 4,400 metric tons of specialised materials delivered
- 186,000+ sq.m of fire protection coating applied
- 100% satisfaction from project stakeholders
- Fully designed and manufactured in India
This isn’t just a checklist; it’s a statement. One that says Indian infrastructure projects can now rival the best in the world in terms of technical sophistication and safety assurance.
Engineering Against the Odds
Unlike many developed markets, India had no ready-made guidelines or precedents for the kind of protective systems needed in this tunnel. That meant Supreme Bituchem had to adapt rapidly, developing new techniques on the fly while collaborating closely with engineers and government authorities.
Specialised training sessions, on-site simulations, and rigorous quality checks became part of the daily routine. The result? Flawless execution, minimal downtime, and systems that will serve the tunnel for decades.
“We’ve learned more from this project than any textbook could ever teach,” one project supervisor commented. “It challenged us to innovate under pressure, and we came out stronger for it.”
Raising Expectations for the Road Ahead
India’s commitment to world-class infrastructure is more than just a government goal — it’s now a private-sector mission too. Supreme Bituchem’s involvement in the Samruddhi Expressway project highlights a growing trend where Indian companies are no longer just suppliers, but strategic partners in national development.
From fire-proofing to energy-efficient coatings, their solutions are aligned with global trends in infrastructure safety and sustainability. And with the success of this project, a new roadmap is emerging.
“We believe this is just the beginning,” said a Supreme Bituchem executive. “As India continues to build bigger and smarter, safety and innovation will remain our guiding lights.”
Looking to the Future with Confidence
This tunnel isn’t just a marvel of engineering — it’s a signal to the world that India is ready to lead in infrastructure excellence. Supreme Bituchem India Pvt. Ltd. has set a precedent, not just for tunnel construction, but for how ambitious projects can combine safety, sustainability, and smart design.
With more expressways, metro systems, and underground networks in the pipeline, the lessons learned here will likely echo across the country. And if the Samruddhi tunnel is any indicator, India’s infrastructure future is not only bright — it’s brilliantly lit, fireproofed, and built to last.
