New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India launched a pilot project to issue real-time stray cattle safety alerts to highway users as part of Road Safety Month 2026.
NHAI introduced the initiative in collaboration with telecom service providers. Officials said the project aimed to reduce accidents caused by sudden cattle movement, especially during fog and low-visibility conditions on National Highways.
The pilot is underway on the Jaipur–Agra and Jaipur–Rewari National Highway corridors. Authorities identified these stretches as prone to frequent stray cattle movement based on past accident data and field inputs.
Under the project, commuters will receive advance warnings about cattle-prone zones. The alerts will trigger around 10 km before high-risk stretches, giving drivers enough time to slow down and take precautions.
NHAI said the alerts would reach users through Flash SMS followed by voice calls. The Flash SMS will be sent in Hindi and will warn drivers to proceed slowly and cautiously in cattle-affected areas.
Officials clarified that the system would avoid excessive messaging. The platform will not send repeat alerts to the same user within a 30-minute window to prevent alert fatigue.
Stray cattle safety alert uses telecom-based technology
NHAI said the initiative used upgraded telecom infrastructure to deliver location-based safety advisories. The system will generate alerts using mapped cattle-prone zones and historical accident patterns.
Reliance Jio upgraded its telecom platform to support nationwide delivery of the real-time alerts. Officials said the technology would ensure timely and targeted communication with highway users.
NHAI said it would assess the pilot’s performance after implementation. Based on the results, the authority will consider extending the stray cattle safety alert system to other vulnerable highway stretches across the country.
The authority said the project formed part of its broader efforts to improve road safety and enhance user experience on National Highways.
