NHAI Urges DoT and TRAI to Enhance Mobile Connectivity and Road Safety Alerts on National Highways

NEW DELHI | JANUARY 06, 2026 :- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has formally approached the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to fast-track the resolution of mobile network “dead zones” across the country’s highway infrastructure. Following a comprehensive assessment, NHAI identified 424 critical locations—stretching across approximately 1,750 km—where the lack of dependable signal, particularly on greenfield and remote sections, severely hinders emergency response mechanisms and technology-enabled public services.

Beyond infrastructure improvements, NHAI has proposed a strategic safety initiative requesting TRAI to mandate Telecom Service Providers to dispatch proactive geo-mapped SMS or Flash alerts to commuters. These real-time warnings are designed to caution drivers as they approach accident-prone stretches or areas frequently impacted by stray cattle. By bridging these digital gaps, NHAI aims to integrate physical infrastructure with robust connectivity, ensuring a safer and more efficient journey for all road users.