Google Maps Misguidance Leads to Tragedy in Uttar Pradesh: Three Lives Lost

Google Maps Misguidance Leads to Tragedy in Uttar Pradesh: Three Lives Lost

Three men lost their lives in an accident in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday night, November 23. Misled by Google Maps, their car fell off an unfinished bridge over the Ramganga River, revealing weaknesses in digital navigation and local infrastructure security.

The Fatal Journey

Nitin Kumar (30), Ajit Kumar (35), and Amit Kumar (30) were traveling from Gurugram to Bareilly. They used Google Maps to save time, which suggested a shorter route through Dataganj in Budaun via Khallpur to reach Faridpur.

The driver, unaware that the bridge connecting Faridpur and Dataganj was incomplete, drove onto the dangerous structure late at night. With no barricades or warning signs, the car fell 25 feet into the shallow riverbed.

Early Sunday morning, villagers in Khallpur discovered the crumpled car and informed the police. Teams from Faridpur and Dataganj stations recovered the bodies and launched an investigation.

Body Identification

The deceased were identified as:

• Nitin Kumar (30): A driver from Farrukhabad, working for a Gurugram-based security firm.
• Ajit Kumar (35): Nitin’s cousin, also a driver, from Farrukhabad.
• Amit Kumar (30): A distant relative from Mainpuri, accompanying them for a wedding.

Faridpur SHO Rahul Singh confirmed the victims had been navigating using Google Maps, which was active on their phones at the time of the accident.

Their bodies were sent for post-mortem examinations, and their grieving families were informed.

Grief and Anger in Families

The families of the victims, devastated by the tragedy, attributed the accident to negligence by authorities. Pramod Kumar, Nitin’s brother-in-law, expressed his anguish:
“They were using Google Maps, which led them onto an incomplete bridge. There were no barricades or signs to warn them. This tragedy was entirely preventable.”

The families demanded:

• Accountability for authorities overseeing bridge safety.
• Strict action against the UP State Bridge Corporation Ltd., responsible for the construction.
• Better regulation of navigation apps to prevent inaccurate route suggestions.

Bridge: A Known Hazard

The partially constructed bridge connecting Faridpur to Dataganj has been a long-standing hazard. During 2022 floods, parts of the structure were washed away, leaving it unsafe. However, the access road to the bridge remained open, misleading drivers into believing it was functional.

The bridge spans the Ramganga River with 24 pillars, but only 21 remain intact on the Faridpur side, while others are either damaged or missing.

Local residents and authorities confirmed several accidents have occurred at the spot due to inadequate safety measures, including barricades and warning signs.

SDM Faridpur Gulab Singh stated, “The bridge is under construction, and an investigation has been initiated. Action will be taken against officials found careless.”

Role of Google Maps

The victims relied on Google Maps, a widely used navigation app, which suggested a shorter route through Dataganj instead of the Moradabad-Bareilly highway, leading them onto the unfinished bridge.

While digital navigation tools offer convenience, this incident highlights their limitations, especially in regions with underdeveloped infrastructure.

Pramod Kumar criticised:
“Google Maps should not have marked it as complete. This negligence is unacceptable.”

Why Were They on This Route?

The victims were en route to a family wedding in Faridpur. After attending another wedding in Budaun on Saturday night, they chose the shorter route suggested by Google Maps instead of the traditional Moradabad-Bareilly highway.

Their attempt to save time tragically cost them their lives.

Community’s Reaction

The accident has shaken the local community. Residents of Khallpur, who discovered the submerged car, condemned the lack of safety measures at the site.

“How many more lives will it take for the authorities to fix this bridge and install proper warnings?” questioned a local villager.

Call for Action

The victims’ families and local residents demanded immediate steps to prevent such tragedies:

1. Improved Infrastructure Safety: Installing barricades, warning signs, and proper closures for unsafe structures.
2. Accountability: Investigating the negligence of officials responsible for the bridge.
3. Navigation App Collaboration: Ensuring tech companies like Google Maps update their data to reflect real-time road conditions.

Lessons from the Incident

This tragedy underscores the dangers of over-reliance on navigation apps. While these tools offer convenience, users must remain vigilant and verify local road conditions, especially in unfamiliar areas.

Additionally, there is an urgent need for infrastructure audits and regular maintenance to prevent public projects from turning into death traps.

For the grieving families of Nitin Kumar, Ajit Kumar, and Amit Kumar, this incident demands swift action and accountability. Preventable accidents like this must serve as a wake-up call for better coordination between technology and infrastructure development in India.

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