In yet another mishap tied to digital navigation, a car carrying three passengers veered off the road and plunged into the Kalapur canal in Bareilly’s Izzatnagar area on Pilibhit Road. The driver had been following a route suggested by Google Maps, once again raising questions about the accuracy and reliability of satellite-based navigation systems in India.
The accident occurred near Barkapur Tiraaha, where erosion has left the road dangerously damaged. The vehicle, a Tata Tigor, overturned into the canal but, fortunately, all three occupants emerged unscathed. The local police, led by Izzatnagar Station Officer Dhananjay Pandey, promptly reached the scene and recovered the car with the help of a JCB machine.
The passengers, including Divyanshu, son of Mahendra Pratap Singh from Auraiya, were en route to Pilibhit following the app’s guidance. The incident follows another tragedy on November 24, when three individuals lost their lives after their car, also directed by Google Maps, fell from an incomplete bridge near Muda village on the Dataganj-Faridpur road. That car plunged 20 feet, with the structure lacking barricades or warning signs. Following the incident, the Naib Tehsildar of Dataganj lodged a case against five engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) for negligence. Police also issued a notice to Google, questioning its accountability for providing inaccurate directions.
These incidents highlight the potential dangers of over-reliance on GPS systems, particularly in areas with incomplete infrastructure or inadequate safety measures. While tools like Google Maps have made travel easier, they are not infallible, especially in regions where real-time updates on road conditions are lacking.
Residents and experts alike have called for better infrastructure management and coordination between local authorities and tech companies. Regular updates to navigation platforms and the inclusion of alerts for hazardous or incomplete routes could help prevent such accidents in the future.
The recent spate of accidents has sparked outrage in Bareilly, with citizens demanding stricter oversight of both public infrastructure and digital navigation tools. Experts urge drivers to verify road conditions, especially in rural or underdeveloped areas, rather than relying solely on GPS directions. As investigations into these incidents continue, they serve as a grim reminder of the need for vigilance on the roads and accountability from all stakeholders, including government agencies and tech platforms.
