NHAI calls for urgent action to boost Mobile Network Connectivity on National Highways

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has urged the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to take immediate steps to improve mobile network coverage on National Highways, particularly on greenfield and remote stretches where connectivity is currently poor or unavailable.

A comprehensive assessment conducted by NHAI identified 424 locations covering nearly 1,750 km of highways that are critically affected due to the absence of reliable mobile coverage, with many gaps reported on greenfield corridors such as stretches of the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway (including sections in Madhya Pradesh) , Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway , and other expressways passing through states like Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra , where mobile network absence was specifically flagged along long rural stretches.

NHAI has formally shared detailed information on these locations with DoT and TRAI, requesting that telecom operators be directed to urgently address the network gaps. The proposed measures include deployment of mobile network infrastructure at identified blackspots, especially on greenfield and remote highway stretches; proactive SMS or Flash SMS alerts at accident-prone locations, including areas affected by stray cattle and other hazards, to warn road users in advance; and coordinated action by telecom operators under DoT and TRAI supervision to ensure faster roll-out of coverage and improved digital access along highways.

The absence of dependable connectivity has a direct impact on public safety, emergency response, traffic management, and delivery of technology-enabled highway services . Improved network coverage will enable travelers to access emergency services promptly, receive real-time traffic updates, and use navigation and safety apps, while also helping authorities monitor and manage highway operations more efficiently.

By addressing these connectivity gaps, NHAI aims to ensure that National Highways are not only physically well-connected but also digitally enabled , supporting safer, more efficient, and user-centric highway infrastructure for citizens across the country.