Highway, telecom authority join hands to improve network on roads
Emphasising the public safety implications and the strategic significance of the National Highway (NH) network, the Central road making agency has approached Department of Telecommunication (DoT) for to improve mobile network connectivity on the NH corridors across the country. As part of a comprehensive assessment undertaken by NHAI, 424 locations covering about 1,750 km across the National Highway network across the country have been identified as critically affected due to non-availability of the mobile network connectivity.
Besides DoT, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) too have been requested to issue directions to Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) for addressing non-availability of the mobile network on several stretches of NHs, Expressways particularly on greenfield and remote sections. “Detailed information on these locations has been compiled and formally shared with the Department of Telecommunications and TRAI for necessary action,” said a senior NHAI official.
As the National Highway corridors traverses 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.
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 behaviour. A list of accident-prone stretches frequently impacted by stray cattle has also been shared with TRAI,” added the official.
By seeking intervention to address mobile network connectivity gaps and enhancing safety along National Highways, NHAI said its commitment is to working in close coordination with all concerned stakeholders to ensure that National Highway network is not only physically well-connected but is also digitally enabled. “These efforts align with NHAI’s broader objective of delivering safe, efficient and user-centric Highway infrastructure for citizens across the country,” added the official.
