Navi Mumbai : In a troubling trend of navigation-related accidents, a woman narrowly escaped a major mishap in Navi Mumbai after her car, guided by Google Maps, plunged into a ditch near Belapur in the early hours of Saturday . The incident has reignited debate over the reliability of GPS-based navigation systems, especially in less-monitored or underdeveloped areas.
According to police, the incident occurred around 1 a.m. as the woman was driving her white Audi from Belapur to Ulwe. Google Maps allegedly directed her through an underpass route near the Dhrubatara Jetty, instead of guiding her over the Bay Bridge. The vehicle subsequently fell into a deep ravine.
Assistant Police Inspector Narayan Pallampale stated, “Our team, along with the Marine Security Guards and local police, reached the spot and found the woman trapped in the vehicle. She was following Google Maps, which misguided her under the bridge, leading to the accident.”
Thanks to the quick response of the Marine Security Force, the woman was safely rescued using a boat and was found unharmed. A viral video circulating on social media shows the Audi being hoisted out of the ditch using a crane.
In a separate but equally alarming incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district, four youths were severely beaten after Google Maps allegedly directed them through a remote village during their return journey. Suspecting them of suspicious activity, local villagers assaulted the group. Two of the victims sustained serious injuries and are currently undergoing treatment in a local hospital.
What began as a simple case of navigation confusion quickly escalated into mob violence, underscoring not only the technological shortcomings but also the perils of unfamiliar routes in rural areas.
These incidents are not isolated. Last year, three individuals tragically lost their lives in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district after their car, misled by Google Maps, plunged 50 feet into a river. In another incident, a group of tourists from Kerala met with a similar fate while traveling to Hyderabad when their vehicle followed incorrect GPS guidance and ended up in a water body.
As navigation apps become an everyday necessity, these repeated mishaps highlight a critical issue: the over-reliance on technology without human vigilance. While platforms like Google Maps offer convenience, they may lack real-time data on newly constructed roads, diversions, or risky terrains particularly in less-mapped or rural areas.
Authorities are now urging citizens to use navigation tools with caution, cross-verifying routes when possible, especially during night travel or in unfamiliar locations.
