National Highways Authority of India has sought urgent intervention to improve mobile network coverage across several stretches of the National Highway network. The move is aimed at addressing connectivity gaps in greenfield projects and remote areas, where weak or absent signals create safety and operational challenges for road users and highway authorities.
Connectivity Gaps on Highway Corridors
NHAI has identified 424 locations across nearly 1,750 km of national highways where mobile connectivity is poor or unavailable. These stretches are spread across remote and rural regions, where telecom coverage remains inconsistent. The authority has shared detailed location-wise data with the Department of Telecommunications and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India for action.
Public Safety and Emergency Response
The absence of reliable mobile networks affects emergency communication on highways. It also weakens the delivery of technology-enabled services for motorists. NHAI has stressed that dependable connectivity is essential for highway operations, accident response, and user safety, particularly on long stretches with limited public infrastructure.
Telecom Alerts for Accident-Prone Stretches
NHAI has also requested TRAI to direct telecom operators to issue proactive SMS or flash SMS alerts at geo-mapped accident-prone locations. These include stretches affected by stray cattle movement and other identified hazards. The alerts are intended to warn motorists in advance and encourage safer driving behaviour.
Broader Highway Safety Push
The initiative reflects NHAI’s wider effort to make highways not only physically connected but also digitally enabled. It underlines the growing role of telecom infrastructure in road safety, emergency management, and user-centric transport services across the country.
Last Modified: April 25, 2026