New Delhi, December 2: In a major push to improve road safety and deliver a smoother travel experience, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed an MoU with Reliance Jio to deploy a telecom-based safety alert system across the national highway network. The initiative will use Jio’s nationwide 4G and 5G coverage to send advance warnings to commuters as they approach accident-prone stretches, stray-cattle zones, fog-affected corridors and emergency diversions.
Under the new system, highway users will receive alerts via SMS, WhatsApp and high-priority calls, helping them adjust speed and driving behaviour well before entering hazardous areas. The alerts will work automatically for all Jio users travelling on or near national highways and require no additional roadside hardware, relying instead on existing telecom towers for rapid deployment.
The system will be integrated in phases with NHAI’s digital platforms, including the ‘Rajmargyatra’ mobile app and the 1033 emergency helpline, offering a consolidated digital safety ecosystem for commuters.
NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav described the development as a major step forward in technology-driven road safety. “This initiative will provide timely and reliable information to commuters, helping them make informed decisions and adopt safer driving practices. It sets a new benchmark in road safety management,” he said.
Reliance Jio President Jyotindra Thacker said the initiative leverages Jio’s digital infrastructure—serving more than 500 million users—to deliver safety alerts at scale and contribute to safer highway mobility.
The pilot phase will begin under select NHAI regional offices, where risk zones and alert thresholds will be finalised. The system will adhere to all regulatory and data-protection requirements.
NHAI said similar collaborations with other telecom operators are planned to ensure universal coverage. With real-time warnings, wide network reach and seamless digital integration, the initiative is expected to significantly improve commuter awareness and reduce preventable incidents across India’s expanding national highway network.
