Nitin Gadkari launches system for live traffic updates on NH 8

New Delhi, Mar 10: Commuters on Delhi-Jaipur highway can now plan their journey with live radio updates of traffic condition, a service which is similar to the systems in the US, Canada, Singapore and other advanced nations.

Launching Highways Advisory Service (HAS) pilot project here for National Highways 8, Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said the model would be replicated pan-India soon.

Under the phase 1, existing AIR stations located in Delhi, Alwar and Jaipur will broadcast live traffic updates. HAS is a free-to-air information distribution system that uses radio to make travelling experience on National Highways safer, faster and hassle-free.

Gadkari said the contract has been signed with AIR to buy time for phase 1 of the pilot project in which 22 bulletins will be issued every day. He said the government is committed to reduce fatalities due to road accidents by 50 per cent and HAS is an aid that will help to achieve this target.

India accounts for about five lakh road accidents per annum in which 1.5 lakh people are killed while another 3 lakh are crippled for life.

"The radio broadcasts will also raise people's awareness about road safety, which is very necessary for making our highways safe for the commuters," he added.

The government had earlier said the possibility of a single frequency for the whole country is being examined subject to viability and other regulatory clearances.

Under the project, real time highway information will be gathered from concessionaires, patrol vehicles, toll plazas and traffic marshals. The current project will be implemented in three phases.

By Phase II it is expected to augment the broadcast infrastructure to cover the entire stretch of the highway, install sensors to gather additional real time traffic information, broadcast in both Analog & Digital Radio mode and do impact measurement through an external agency.

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

PTI