New Delhi: Flagging serious implications for public safety, emergency response and efficient highway operations, 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 gaps in connectivity across several stretches of national highways.
The move follows a detailed nationwide assessment by NHAI that identified widespread connectivity blackspots, particularly on greenfield corridors and highways passing through remote and rural regions. Emphasizing the strategic importance of a digitally-enabled highway network, the Authority has urged regulators to issue clear and time-bound directions to telecom service providers to ensure seamless mobile coverage along key highway corridors.
According to NHAI, the assessment revealed that as many as 424 locations across the National Highway network, covering a cumulative length of nearly 1,750 km, are critically affected by non-availability of mobile network services. These findings have been formally shared with DoT and TRAI along with location-specific details to facilitate swift remedial action.
Serious Risks
Officials familiar with the matter said the absence of mobile connectivity on these stretches not only inconveniences road users but also poses serious risks in case of accidents, vehicle breakdowns or medical emergencies, where timely communication can often be the difference between life and death. In addition, poor connectivity undermines the functioning of modern highway management systems that increasingly rely on digital platforms for tolling, traffic monitoring, incident reporting and dissemination of real-time information to commuters.
NHAI has pointed out that large sections of the NH network pass through sparsely populated areas where telecom infrastructure is either inadequate or commercially unattractive for private operators. As a result, several newly built greenfield highways, despite being designed to global standards, lack basic mobile coverage. This digital disconnect, the Authority noted, runs counter to the government’s broader push towards smart infrastructure and technology-enabled public services. It also affects coordination between highway patrol teams, ambulance services and local administration during emergencies, leading to delays in response and recovery operations. Against this backdrop, NHAI has called for a coordinated approach involving regulators, telecom operators and other stakeholders to bridge these gaps in a systematic manner.
Proactive Communication
In addition to addressing basic connectivity issues, NHAI has also approached TRAI with a specific proposal aimed at enhancing road safety through proactive communication. The Authority has requested the regulator to direct telecom operators to disseminate SMS or flash SMS alerts to road users at geo-mapped accident-prone locations along NHs. These alerts would be triggered before motorists reach hazardous stretches, enabling them to slow down, exercise caution and adopt safer driving behaviour.
NHAI has already shared a list of accident-prone sections with TRAI, including stretches that frequently witness incidents due to stray cattle movement, sharp curves, poor visibility or other recurring hazards. Officials said such targeted alerts could play a crucial role in reducing accidents, especially on long-distance highway corridors where driver fatigue and lack of local familiarity often contribute to mishaps.
The Authority’s request gains significance in the context of India’s rapidly expanding highway network, which has seen a sharp increase in both length and traffic volumes over the past decade. As highways become faster and more technologically integrated, dependable mobile connectivity is increasingly being viewed as essential infrastructure rather than an optional add-on.
Industry experts note that reliable network coverage can support a range of services, from emergency call boxes and vehicle tracking to future applications such as connected vehicles and intelligent transport systems. NHAI’s intervention is therefore being seen as an effort to align physical infrastructure development with digital readiness.
By escalating the matter to DoT and TRAI, NHAI has signalled its intent to work closely with regulators and telecom operators to find sustainable solutions, including infrastructure sharing, deployment of additional towers and use of alternative technologies in hard-to-reach areas. The authority reiterated that ensuring seamless mobile connectivity along NHs is critical not only for commuter convenience but also for national security, disaster management and economic efficiency.
As discussions move forward, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how quickly telecom operators respond and whether regulatory directions translate into tangible improvements on the ground. For millions of highway users across the country, the outcome could mean safer journeys and faster help when it matters most.