FRP with RFID Tags: Tracking Assets in Surat’s Smart City

One of the smart cities in India with the fastest rate of growth, Surat, is concentrating on digitizing its subterranean infrastructure. The latest upgrade? FRP manhole cover embedded with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags, a simple yet powerful move to bring asset tracking into the 21st century.

In collaboration with the Surat Municipal Corporation and private tech partners, thousands of newly installed FRP covers across Varachha, Adajan, and Udhna are now fitted with RFID chips. Each tag contains a unique code linked to a central municipal database, storing information such as:

• Cover location

• Installation date

• Manufacturer batch

• Last maintenance record

Why RFID in FRP?

RFID tags are perfect for embedding into the resin matrix of FRP covers during the molding process since they are impervious to pressure, water, and corrosion. These non-metallic covers with passive RFID chips enable officials to simply scan a surface using a handheld reader or IoT node and instantly retrieve the asset’s profile.

Key benefits include:

• Preventing unauthorized replacement or theft

• Auditing and maintenance tracking

• Faster disaster response in flood-prone zones by identifying drainage histories

With over 4,000 tagged FRP covers in the first phase and plans for full citywide integration, Surat aims to reduce maintenance discrepancies and eliminate paperwork by 2026. The digitization helps Surat improve openness and data-backed governance by aligning with ISO 37120: Sustainable Cities KPIs.

The project demonstrates that combining smart technology with composite materials like FRP doesn’t have to be expensive or complex — just efficient and replicable. Other cities like Pune, Indore, and Navi Mumbai are already evaluating Surat’s RFID success for replication.