The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sought urgent intervention from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to address persistent mobile network connectivity issues across several stretches of National Highways, particularly in greenfield and remote areas.
Highlighting the public safety and strategic importance of the National Highway network, NHAI has called for coordinated and time-bound directions to Telecom Service Providers to ensure reliable mobile connectivity along highway corridors. The authority noted that the absence of network coverage poses serious challenges to highway operations, emergency response systems and the delivery of technology-enabled public services.
As part of a comprehensive assessment, NHAI has identified 424 critical locations across the National Highway network that are severely affected by the non-availability of mobile connectivity. These locations together span around 1,750 km of highways. Detailed information on the affected stretches has been compiled and formally shared with DoT and TRAI for necessary action.
Given that several National Highway corridors pass through remote and rural regions, NHAI said dependable mobile coverage is essential for effective traffic management, quick emergency assistance and the functioning of digital highway services. Connectivity gaps, the authority noted, significantly undermine these objectives.
In addition, NHAI has requested TRAI to issue directions to telecom operators for the dissemination of proactive SMS or Flash SMS alerts at geo-mapped accident-prone locations. These include stretches frequently affected by stray cattle movement and other identified hazards. The alerts are intended to warn road users in advance, enabling safer driving behaviour and timely precautions. A list of accident-prone stretches impacted by stray cattle has also been shared with the regulator.
By seeking urgent action to bridge connectivity gaps and enhance safety measures, NHAI reiterated its commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that the National Highway network is not only physically well-connected but also digitally enabled, in line with its goal of providing safe, efficient and user-centric highway infrastructure nationwide.
