Amit Shah, Scindia to Launch Cell Broadcast Alert System

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia are scheduled to launch a nationwide mobile-based disaster communication system on Saturday, May 2, in New Delhi, featuring a test of the new Cell Broadcast technology to deliver instant emergency alerts to mobile users across India.

The initiative centers on the Integrated Alert System, known as SACHET, developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications and the National Disaster Management Authority. Already operational in all 36 states and union territories, the platform has disseminated more than 134 billion SMS alerts in over 19 Indian languages for events including cyclones, floods, extreme weather, and other hazards. It adheres to the Common Alerting Protocol recommended by the International Telecommunication Union.

The upgrade integrates Cell Broadcast alongside existing SMS capabilities. Unlike SMS, which can face delays during network congestion, Cell Broadcast transmits alerts simultaneously from mobile towers to all devices in a defined geographic area, bypassing individual phone numbers and ensuring near-instant delivery. Alerts...