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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has identified 424 stretches of highways and expressways, covering approximately 1,750 km, with weak or no mobile network coverage. These black spots pose risks for commuters and hamper emergency response coordination. NHAI has formally requested the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to direct telecom operators to improve connectivity. The authority also proposed sending proactive SMS alerts to road users approaching accident prone zones. The move highlights ongoing gaps in communication infrastructure on both greenfield and existing highway sections.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has highlighted 424 mobile network black spots along national highways and expressways, spanning roughly 1,750 km where cellular coverage is weak or absent. These gaps affect everyday communication for commuters and create challenges for emergency responders, including ambulances and highway patrol teams. NHAI has formally communicated this data to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), urging the regulator to direct telecom operators to strengthen network presence along these critical road corridors. Advertisement
NHAI chairman Satosh Kumar Yadav noted that poor network coverage reduces the efficiency of emergency services and puts road users at potential risk. The authority's analysis shows that many black spots are concentrated on new greenfield highways, as well as in remote stretches of existing expressways.
Specific stretches with no signal include about 69 km of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Ratlam, 51 km between Harda and Betul in Madhya Pradesh, around 15 km on the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, approximately 17 km on the Tambaram Tindivanam road in Tamil Nadu, 11.8 km of the Warangal Khammam route in Andhra Pradesh, and 10.8 km of the Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway in Thane district.
In addition to network gaps, NHAI has mapped around 1,665 accident prone locations related to stray cattle, vehicle breakdowns, and other hazards. The authority recommended that SMS alerts, including flash messages, be sent to drivers about 15 minutes before reaching these high-risk zones. NHAI requested TRAI to ensure these safety alerts are delivered free of charge by telecom operators.
The identification of black spots involved detailed field surveys conducted by NHAI and highway patrol personnel, with precise latitude and longitude data collected to ensure accurate mapping. NHAI emphasized the need for coordinated action between TRAI and network operators to address coverage gaps, enhance safety, and improve real-time communication along highways and expressways. Strengthening mobile connectivity is seen as essential not only for convenience but also for efficient incident response.
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