NHAI Flags Mobile Network Gaps on Highways, Seeks Urgent Action

07 Jan 2026 CW Team

Highlighting the public safety and strategic importance of the National Highway network, NHAI has called for coordinated and time-bound directions to Telecom Service Providers to ensure reliable mobile connectivity along highway corridors. The authority noted that the absence of network coverage poses serious challenges to highway operations, emergency response systems and the delivery of technology-enabled public services.

As part of a comprehensive assessment, NHAI has identified 424 critical locations across the National Highway network that are severely affected by the non-availability of mobile connectivity. These locations together span around 1,750 km of highways. Detailed information on the affected stretches has been compiled and formally shared with DoT and TRAI for necessary action.

Given that several National Highway corridors pass through remote and rural regions, NHAI said dependable mobile coverage is essential for effective traffic management, quick emergency assistance and the functioning of digital highway services. Connectivity gaps, the authority noted, significantly undermine these objectives.

In addition, NHAI has requested TRAI to issue directions to telecom operators for the dissemination of proactive SMS or Flash SMS alerts at geo-mapped accident-prone locations. These include stretches frequently affected by stray cattle movement and other identified hazards. The alerts are intended to warn road users in advance, enabling safer driving behaviour and timely precautions. A list of accident-prone stretches impacted by stray cattle has also been shared with the regulator.

By seeking urgent action to bridge connectivity gaps and enhance safety measures, NHAI reiterated its commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that the National Highway network is not only physically well-connected but also digitally enabled, in line with its goal of providing safe, efficient and user-centric highway infrastructure nationwide.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sought urgent intervention from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to address persistent mobile network connectivity issues across several stretches of National Highways, particularly in greenfield and remote areas.Highlighting the public safety and strategic importance of the National Highway network, NHAI has called for coordinated and time-bound directions to Telecom Service Providers to ensure reliable mobile connectivity along highway corridors. The authority noted that the absence of network coverage poses serious challenges to highway operations, emergency response systems and the delivery of technology-enabled public services.As part of a comprehensive assessment, NHAI has identified 424 critical locations across the National Highway network that are severely affected by the non-availability of mobile connectivity. These locations together span around 1,750 km of highways. Detailed information on the affected stretches has been compiled and formally shared with DoT and TRAI for necessary action.Given that several National Highway corridors pass through remote and rural regions, NHAI said dependable mobile coverage is essential for effective traffic management, quick emergency assistance and the functioning of digital highway services. Connectivity gaps, the authority noted, significantly undermine these objectives.In addition, NHAI has requested TRAI to issue directions to telecom operators for the dissemination of proactive SMS or Flash SMS alerts at geo-mapped accident-prone locations. These include stretches frequently affected by stray cattle movement and other identified hazards. The alerts are intended to warn road users in advance, enabling safer driving behaviour and timely precautions. A list of accident-prone stretches impacted by stray cattle has also been shared with the regulator.By seeking urgent action to bridge connectivity gaps and enhance safety measures, NHAI reiterated its commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that the National Highway network is not only physically well-connected but also digitally enabled, in line with its goal of providing safe, efficient and user-centric highway infrastructure nationwide.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..