To improve safety and provide a smoother travel experience on National Highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Reliance Jio to roll out a telecom-based safety alert system across the highway network. Using Jio’s 4G and 5G coverage, travellers will receive advance warnings on their phones when approaching identified risk zones such as accident-prone stretches, stray-cattle areas, fog-affected sections and emergency diversions.

The initiative is designed to strengthen road safety by delivering timely information that enables motorists to adjust their speed and driving behaviour well in advance. Alerts will be issued via SMS, WhatsApp and high-priority calls. The system will be integrated in phases with NHAI’s digital platforms, including the ‘Rajmargyatra’ mobile app and the emergency helpline 1033.

The automated solution will function for all Jio users travelling on or near National Highways, providing early warnings before they enter hazardous zones. As it relies on existing telecom towers, deployment will be rapid and will not require additional roadside hardware. The partnership leverages Jio’s extensive digital infrastructure, which currently serves more than 500 million subscribers.

NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav described the initiative as a major step forward in delivering timely, reliable information to highway users, helping them make informed decisions and adopt safer driving practices. Jyotindra Thacker, President of Reliance Jio, noted that the system uses the reach of Jio’s network to deliver alerts at scale and enhance road safety.

The pilot rollout will support risk-zone identification and define alert thresholds across selected NHAI regional offices. The system will fully comply with regulatory norms and data-protection requirements.

NHAI also plans to undertake similar collaborations with other telecom operators. By combining robust digital infrastructure with real-time communication tools, the initiative aims to significantly improve commuter awareness and reduce preventable road incidents. NHAI remains committed to adopting innovative, scalable solutions to enable safer and more efficient highway travel nationwide.