The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has identified 424 locations covering about 1,750 km across the national highway with no mobile connectivity and has sought the intervention of the Department of Telecom and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to address it.
The highway builder is seeking directions from the department and the regulator to the telecom service providers for addressing non-availability of the mobile network connectivity on several stretches of national highways, particularly on greenfield and remote sections.
Statement issued by the ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Detailed information on these locations has been compiled and formally shared with the GoT and TRAI for necessary action, a statement by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said.
As the national highway corridors traverse through remote and rural areas, absence of dependable mobile network coverage on these sections adversely impacts operations, emergency response mechanism and delivery of technology-enabled public services, it said.
NHAI requests TRAI to issue directives for telecom operators
In addition, NHAI 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 behavior. A list of accident-prone stretches frequently impacted by stray cattle has also been shared with TRAI.