Navigation App in Spotlight After Car Falls Into Ditch in India

Early Morning Drive Ends in Sudden Plunge

On 26 July, a woman driving solo in an Audi accidentally drove into a ditch near Belapur in Navi Mumbai while en route to Ulwe.

Initial reports suggested she had been following Google Maps for directions, which allegedly guided her onto an unmapped route beneath the Bay Bridge. The car veered off the intended road and plunged into water near the Dhruvatara Jetty.

Rescue teams, including marine security officials and local police, responded swiftly. The woman was pulled out unharmed using a boat, while a crane was later brought in to retrieve the vehicle from the water.

Google Maps Denies Navigation Error

Following public speculation and media reports pointing to Google Maps as the cause of the misdirection, Google issued a formal statement rejecting the possibility that its platform had suggested the faulty route. The tech company stated that the underpass where the incident occurred is not mapped for navigation and that the only official route it provides in that area is via the Belapur Bridge over Panvel Creek.

Google emphasised its commitment to safety and accuracy in its mapping services and maintained that its internal review found no errors in the guidance provided that night.

Past Incidents Raise Broader Concerns

This is not the first time that Google Maps has come under scrutiny in India for alleged misnavigation. In 2024, three passengers died in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district after their vehicle, relying on GPS directions, drove onto a damaged bridge and fell into a river. The incident prompted widespread criticism and led Google to cooperate with authorities in the investigation.

In a recent case in Indonesia, a couple narrowly avoided death as their car plunged off of an unfinished highway while following Google Maps navigation.

These cases have ignited ongoing debates about overreliance on digital navigation tools, especially in areas prone to poor road mapping or infrastructure inconsistencies.

Technology, Trust, and Responsibility

While the recent incident ended without casualties, it highlights the fragile trust users place in real-time navigation apps. As cities grow and roads change, digital platforms must keep pace—but so must users exercise caution, especially in poorly lit or low-traffic areas during off-peak hours.

Though Google has deflected blame in this case, the event serves as another reminder that technology, no matter how advanced, isn’t immune to error or misinterpretation. As digital maps evolve, so too must awareness around their limitations—because even one wrong turn can turn a routine drive into a rescue mission.

Photos Collected from AMCO News Facebook

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