The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has identified 424 "telecom black spots" across national highways and expressways, spanning a total distance of 1,750 km. These areas suffer from poor or nonexistent mobile network coverage, posing a significant challenge to seamless communication for travelers.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the NHAI has urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to intervene. The NHAI has requested TRAI to direct mobile operators to improve network connectivity in these identified black spots.

The lack of reliable mobile connectivity on highways raises various concerns. It impedes emergency communication, making it difficult for travelers to seek assistance in case of accidents or breakdowns. Poor connectivity also disrupts navigation, as many rely on online maps and real-time traffic updates. Furthermore, it affects toll collection and other highway management operations that increasingly depend on digital infrastructure.

The NHAI's move highlights the growing importance of robust telecom infrastructure for efficient highway management and ensuring a safe and convenient travel experience. With increasing digitalization, seamless connectivity has become integral to transportation and logistics. Addressing these telecom black spots is crucial for realizing the full potential of smart highways and intelligent transportation systems.

The identified black spots are spread across various states and national highway corridors. The NHAI is expected to provide TRAI with detailed location data to facilitate targeted action by telecom service providers. It remains to be seen how TRAI will respond to NHAI's request and what measures will be taken to address the issue of telecom black spots on national highways. Potential solutions could include installing new mobile towers, optimizing existing infrastructure, and promoting infrastructure sharing among telecom operators.