NHAI asks TRAI to improve mobile network connectivity on national highways

New Delhi: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday said it has sought urgent intervention from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and TRAI to improve mobile network connectivity on National Highways.

The NHAI said as per ots assessment, 424 locations covering about 1,750 km across the National Highway network have been identified as critically affected due to non-availability of the mobile network connectivity.

Emphasising public safety implications and the strategic significance of the National Highway network, NHAI said it has called for an expeditious and coordinated approach to improve mobile network connectivity on the national highway corridors across the country.

"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," it said.

As the National Highway corridors traverse through remote and rural areas, absence of dependable mobile network coverage on these sections adversely impacts National Highway operations, emergency response mechanism and delivery of technology-enabled public services.

The NHAI also said it has requested TRAI to issue necessary directions to telecom operators for dissemination of proactive SMS or flash SMS alerts at geo-mapped accident-prone locations, including 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 enhancing safety along National Highways, NHAI reaffirms its commitment to working in close coordination with all stakeholders concerned to ensure that National Highway network is not only physically well-connected but is also digitally enabled, the statement added.