India’s highway network is set to get a major digital safety upgrade as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Reliance Jio to roll out a telecom-driven road-safety alert system. Using Jio’s widespread 4G and 5G mobile network, travellers across National Highways will soon begin receiving advance warnings about accident-prone zones, stray-cattle stretches, fog-hit routes, and emergency diversions directly on their mobile phones.
The idea behind the initiative is simple but powerful—deliver the right information at the right moment so commuters can slow down, stay alert and make safer driving decisions well before they reach a risky stretch. Alerts will reach users through SMS, WhatsApp messages and high-priority calls, ensuring that even during poor visibility or fast-changing road situations, drivers stay informed in real time.
NHAI plans to integrate this safety alert system with its digital platforms such as the Rajmargyatra mobile app and the 1033 emergency helpline. The rollout will happen in phases, starting with pilot deployments under select regional offices. These pilot projects will help validate risk zones, fine-tune alert thresholds and ensure seamless functioning across different terrains and traffic conditions.
One of the biggest advantages of this initiative is that it doesn’t require new roadside installations. Jio’s existing telecom towers and digital infrastructure—which already support over 500 million subscribers—will power the entire safety-alert mechanism. This allows for faster deployment and wide coverage without additional hardware on highways.
NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav described the collaboration as a significant stride toward safer travel, emphasising that timely and reliable alerts can greatly influence how commuters react on the road. Reliance Jio President Jyotindra Thacker echoed the sentiment, noting that the company’s telecom footprint enables such a system to operate at a national scale, making highway travel more predictable and informed for millions.
While the current agreement focuses on Jio’s network, NHAI has confirmed that similar partnerships with other telecom operators will follow to ensure that highway safety alerts reach every mobile user, irrespective of their service provider.
