NHAI seeks DoT, Trai intervention to address mobile connectivity gaps on National Highways

State-owned National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Tuesday said it has sought urgent intervention from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to improve mobile network connectivity across National Highways.

In a statement, NHAI said that as part of a comprehensive assessment, it has identified 424 locations spanning around 1,750 km of the National Highway network that are critically affected due to the non-availability of mobile network connectivity.

“Identifying critical mobile network connectivity issues across several stretches of National Highways, NHAI has sought the intervention of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to issue appropriate directions to Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) for addressing non-availability of the mobile network connectivity on several stretches of National Highways, particularly on greenfield and remote sections,” the authority said.

Highlighting public safety concerns and the strategic importance of the National Highway network, NHAI said it has called for an expeditious and coordinated approach to improve mobile connectivity along national highway corridors across the country.

“Detailed information on these locations has been compiled and formally shared with the Department of Telecommunications and Trai for necessary action,” it added.

NHAI said that as National Highway corridors pass through remote and rural areas, the lack of dependable mobile network coverage on these stretches adversely affects highway operations, emergency response mechanisms, and the delivery of technology-enabled public services.

In addition, the authority said it has requested Trai to issue necessary directions to telecom operators for the dissemination of proactive SMS or flash SMS alerts at geo-mapped accident-prone locations. These include stretches affected by stray cattle movement and other identified hazards.

“These alerts are intended to reach road users prior to their arrival at such locations, enabling timely caution and safer driving behaviour,” NHAI said, adding that a list of accident-prone stretches frequently impacted by stray cattle has also been shared with Trai.

By seeking intervention to address mobile network connectivity gaps and enhance safety on National Highways, NHAI said it is reaffirming its commitment to working closely with all concerned stakeholders to ensure that the National Highway network is not only physically well-connected but also digitally enabled.