TNR News Network
SOLAN: Another alarming incident has raised fresh concerns about the reliability of digital navigation tools, especially Google Maps.
In Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district, a family narrowly escaped a potentially fatal accident after blindly following a route suggested by Google Maps — eerily similar to a tragic event in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly last year, where three men died after their car plunged into a river while on their way to a wedding.
Student’s exam trip turns into nightmare in Himachal
The latest episode unfolded when a family from Nalagarh was en route to Una, where their daughter was scheduled to appear for an important exam. Instead of taking the main highway via Bharatgarh and Kiratpur, they relied on Google Maps, which directed them toward a shorter but highly dangerous detour — the Dabhauta bridge route.
Unknown to them, the Dabhauta bridge had been washed away nearly two years ago and has remained in a dilapidated and unsafe condition ever since. As their vehicle reached the river near the collapsed bridge, it was swept away by a strong current and drifted for several kilometres.
Fortunately, local villagers responded quickly and managed to rescue all passengers. The family sustained only minor injuries, but the car suffered heavy damage, reportedly worth several lakhs.
Villagers blame Google, urge authorities to intervene
The residents of Dabhauta panchayat expressed outrage following the incident, pointing out that Google Maps continued to show the destroyed bridge as a valid road. “This isn’t the first time,” said the panchayat pradhan. “People regularly get misled onto this route, especially during monsoon when the river becomes even more dangerous.”
Local leaders have demanded that clear warning signs, barricades and updates be made both on the ground and within digital mapping services. “We request commuters to use the safer Bodhla route instead and not blindly trust online navigation tools,” said the pradhan. He also criticised both Himachal Pradesh and Punjab governments for neglecting reconstruction of the bridge, accusing them of passing the buck while public safety remains at risk.
This isn’t an isolated case. Just months ago in November 2024, a tragic incident occurred in Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh where three men heading to a wedding followed a Google Maps route that led them into a swollen river. Unlike the Himachal case, all three died on the spot.
“The recurrence of such events highlights a critical issue: while Google Maps is widely used and trusted by millions in India for its ease of navigation, it still lacks real-time verification in remote or disaster-affected areas. Inaccuracies, especially concerning broken bridges or flooded roads, can result in dire consequences,” said the pradhan.
