In an effort to curb road accidents caused by stray cattle, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has rolled out a pilot project that provides real-time safety alerts to National Highway users. The initiative has been launched as part of Road Safety Month, observed from January 1 to January 31.
The pilot is currently operational on the Jaipur–Agra and Jaipur–Rewari National Highway corridors, which have been identified as high-risk stretches due to frequent cattle movement. Under the system, commuters receive location-based alerts nearly 10 kilometres in advance, enabling them to slow down and drive cautiously, particularly during foggy weather and low-visibility conditions.
How the Alert System Works
Drivers approaching cattle-prone zones receive a Flash SMS followed by a voice alert on their mobile phones. The SMS, sent in Hindi, warns motorists about the potential danger ahead. Translated into English, the message reads:
“Ahead is an area where livestock graze. Please drive slowly and carefully.”
To avoid alert fatigue, the system is designed so that users do not receive repeated alerts within a 30-minute window, even if they remain on the same highway stretch.
The technology leverages telecom networks and identifies vulnerable zones using a combination of historical accident data and field-level inputs, ensuring alerts are targeted and relevant.
Part of Broader Highway Safety Push
Officials said the initiative aligns with a broader series of measures being undertaken by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to improve safety on national highways.
Recently, the ministry announced stricter enforcement of speed limits in accident-prone areas and expanded the deployment of intelligent traffic management systems, including automated speed enforcement cameras and variable message signboards across major highway corridors.
Additionally, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has directed state authorities to strengthen roadside infrastructure by installing cattle-proof fencing and constructing designated underpass crossings in rural areas. These steps are aimed at reducing human-animal collisions and ensuring safer movement for both passengers and commercial vehicles.
Nationwide Expansion Under Consideration
The NHAI said the performance of the pilot project will be closely monitored, and based on its effectiveness, the system may be expanded to other National Highway stretches prone to stray cattle movement across the country.
Officials believe that combining technology-driven alerts with infrastructure improvements and stricter enforcement could significantly reduce accidents linked to livestock on highways.