In a bizarre incident that raised questions about navigation app reliability, a woman in Navi Mumbai drove her car into a creek near Belapur in the early hours of July 26, reportedly while following directions from Google Maps. The woman, who was travelling from Belapur to Ulwe around 1 AM, mistakenly followed a route beneath a bridge instead of the bridge itself and ended up in the Panvel Creek. Fortunately, she was rescued unharmed by local Marine Security personnel.
However, in a new development, Google has issued an official statement disputing the initial reports that blamed Google Maps for the mishap.
Google responds: 'Maps did not recommend that route'
In response to media coverage of the incident, a Google spokesperson clarified: “We wish to clarify that the road under the bridge is not mapped for navigation in Google Maps, and our internal review confirms that Maps did not recommend a route through it. The only route Google Maps provides in this area is through the Belapur Bridge over the Panvel Creek. We built Google Maps with safety and reliability in mind and will continue to focus on delivering a high-quality navigation experience to people everywhere.”
The tech giant urged media outlets to verify navigation routes directly on Maps and requested updates to any inaccurate reports attributing the route error to their system.
The incident
According to initial accounts, the woman trusted her GPS app for directions and followed a path that led her under a bridge rather than over it. That path abruptly ended in water.
Eyewitnesses from the local Marine Security Force acted swiftly and pulled the woman from the creek. Her vehicle was later recovered using a crane. Fortunately, she suffered no injuries. The woman reportedly told officials that she was relying on GPS directions at the time.
A broader conversation on digital navigation and road safety
While GPS-based navigation offers convenience, experts caution against over-reliance on technology, especially in poorly lit or unfamiliar areas. Drivers are advised to stay alert, cross-check routes manually when possible, and apply real-world judgment before following digital directions blindly.
The Navi Mumbai incident has once again sparked conversations about the role of tech companies in road safety and the importance of user responsibility. Google’s swift clarification, however, points to the need for verified information before assigning blame — especially when lives and reputations are at stake.
