NHAI has reportedly urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to direct telecom operators to improve mobile connectivity on several highways and expressways. As per NHAI, some routes lack mobile network coverage which is creating inconvenience for commuters and raising safety concerns for the NHAI, as connectivity gaps hinder emergency communication with responders such as ambulances and patrol vehicles during incidents.
The authority has identified 424 such “telecom black spots” spanning around 1,750 kilometre (km) and has shared the details with TRAI. In a letter to the TRAI chairman, the NHAI chairman pointed out that the absence of mobile networks is adversely affecting highway operations, coordination with field units, and interaction with enforcement agencies.
Data shared with TRAI shows that three stretches of the Delhi-Mumbai expressway passing through Ratlam, covering about 69 km, have no mobile coverage. Similarly, the entire 51 km stretch between Harda and Betul in Madhya Pradesh lacks network connectivity. Other identified gaps include nearly 15 km of the Bengaluru-Chennai expressway, 17 km of the Tambaram-Tindivanam section in Tamil Nadu, 11.8 km of the Warangal-Khammam section in Andhra Pradesh, and 10.8 km of the Mumbai-Vadodara expressway in Thane.
In addition, NHAI has identified around 1,665 accident-prone locations caused by stray cattle movement across national highways and expressways. The matter has also been taken up with TRAI, along with a proposal to introduce proactive SMS and flash SMS alerts at geo-mapped accident-prone zones, including stretches affected by stray cattle movement and other hazards.
