New Delhi: In one of the biggest technology-driven road safety initiatives ever seen in India, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Reliance Jio to roll out a first-of-its-kind telecom-based real-time safety alert system across the country’s entire 1.46 lakh+ kilometre national highway network.
How it works:
The moment any of Jio’s subscribers (which includes almost every second smartphone user in India) enters or approaches a high-risk zone on a national highway, their phone will automatically receive hyper-localised alerts about notorious accident black spots, fog-affected stretches (critical during winter months in North India), areas frequently visited by stray cattle or wild animals, sudden road closures, emergency diversions, landslides or protest blockages and potholes, ongoing repair work or low-visibility zones
Triple-layered delivery for alerts
The Jio users will received instant SMS, WhatsApp message (with location pin where possible) and high-priority flash call that rings even in silent/DND mode. The cell phone users would require doing any extra hardware upgrade or add any new sensors on highways. The entire system runs on Jio’s existing 4G/5G cell tower network using precise location tracking. It’s fully automated, works 24×7, and triggers within seconds.
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Future-ready integration
The alerts will be seamlessly linked with NHAI’s official Rajmargyatra app (already used for FASTag recharge & highway info). The system will also be integrated with the pan-India highway emergency helpline 1033.
A pilot phase will begin shortly in high-risk corridors (like Delhi–Chandigarh, Mumbai–Pune, Delhi–Jaipur, and parts of the Northeast), followed by a phased nationwide rollout in the coming months.
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NHAI chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav said: “This partnership marks a revolutionary leap in proactive road safety. For the first time, technology will warn drivers *before* they reach danger – not after an incident occurs.”
Reliance Jio president Jyotindra Thakker said: “With the widest and most reliable digital network in India, we are transforming Jio from a connectivity provider into a nationwide safety guardian for every highway traveller.”
Also Read: NHAI-IIIT, Delhi sign MoU to develop AI-based road safety solutions
India records over 1.5 lakh road fatalities every year – a significant portion on national highways. Initiatives like this, powered by data and telecom reach, are expected to bring down accidents substantially by making drivers aware and cautious in real time.
Safer highways are finally getting the tech upgrade they desperately needed. Buckle up – the future of Indian road travel just got a lot smarter (and safer)!
