Soon, single frequency for traffic updates on NHs

This is part of Highway Advisory Services, which aims at making travel safer

Having launched the first phase of the Highway Advisory Services (HAS), a radio channel to give real-time updates of traffic movement on the Delhi-Jaipur highway (National Highway 8) on a pilot basis, the ministry of road, transport and highways is planning to introduce a single frequency for the whole country.

HAS is a free-to-air information distribution system that uses radio to make the travelling experience on national highways safer, faster and hassle-free. The services will be launched in three phases on NH8. In phase I, existing All India Rainbow stations located at Delhi, Alwar and Jaipur will broadcast live traffic updates.

THE PROPOSALS

• HAS uses radio to make travel safer, faster and hassle-free
• Information will be gathered from concessionaires, patrol vehicles, toll plazas and traffic marshals
• A control centre will collect data, analyse it, generate alerts and send it to be broadcast by AIR
• In phase-I, 22 bulletins will be issued every day for three months

"We are working on the modalities to introduce a single frequency for entire nation, subject to regulatory clearances. In Phase II, we are planning to launch broadcast in both Analog & Digital (Simulcast) Radio mode. For the services we have to seek clearance from the information and broadcasting ministry and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) which is currently being examined. So, very soon we are planning to present our case to the ministry for its approval as the services will ensure safer travel. The services would act as a pivot in reducing number of accidents," said Rohit Singh, joint secretary, Road Transport and Highways.

By phase III, HAS services will be in only digital broadcasting mode and there will be monitoring and third-party audit.

Information will be gathered from concessionaires, patrol vehicles, toll plazas and traffic marshals. This information will be transmitted to a HAS control centre using mobile applications, telephones and sensors. The control centre will collect data, process and analyse it , generate alerts and send it to be broadcast by AIR.

Contract has been signed with AIR to buy air-time for phase I, in which 22 bulletins will be issued every day for three months.

In India, every year 500,000 accident are reported. As many as 150,000 persons are killed and 350,000 people injured every year. Union minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari, said the government was committed to reducing fatality in road accidents by 50 per cent. He said HAS would aid this. The radio broadcasts will also raise people's awareness about road safety, which is very necessary for making our highways safe, he added.