Google Maps in India Gets New Features

Google Maps is rolling out several new features in India, focusing on enhancing the user experience for both Android and iOS users. These features include a new EV charging location finder, the ability to book metro tickets in select cities, and improvements to its navigation features.

• EV Charging Stations: Google Maps will now display over 8,000 EV charging locations in India, providing users with real-time availability and information about plug types. They can also filter locations by charger type and find charging stations specifically designed for two-wheelers.
• Metro Ticket Booking: Google Maps has partnered with the government-led Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and ride-booking app Namma Yatri to enable metro ticket booking within the app. This feature is currently live in Kochi and Chennai and is expected to expand to other cities as ONDC grows.
• Navigation Features: Google Maps is introducing a new "Flyover Guidance" feature, allowing users to see upcoming flyovers and decide whether to take them. The app will also provide warnings about narrow roads to help drivers avoid them. These new navigation features will initially be available for Android users and will roll out to iOS users later.

EV Charging Locations on Google Maps India

Google Maps has partnered with EV charging providers like ElectricPe, Ather, Kazam, and Statiq to make it easier for EV users in India to find charging stations. This feature aims to address the increasing demand for EV charging infrastructure in India as the adoption of electric vehicles continues to rise.

• Google Maps will display detailed information about EV charging stations, including plug types and real-time availability.
• Users can filter EV charging locations based on charger type.
• Google Maps is offering a unique feature for India that allows users to find EV charging stations specifically designed for two-wheelers.

Metro Ticket Booking via Google Maps India

In collaboration with ONDC and Namma Yatri, Google Maps has introduced a new feature that allows users to book metro tickets directly within the app. This is currently available in Kochi and Chennai and is expected to expand to other cities as ONDC scales.

• Users can book tickets while planning their route through the metro tab on Google Maps.
• The booking process takes users to Namma Yatri's platform, where they can enter their phone number and pay to receive their ticket's QR code.
• Google Maps is also exploring the possibility of integrating other modes of public transportation, such as buses, through Namma Yatri in the future.

Navigating Narrow Roads and More with Google Maps

Google Maps has enhanced its navigation features for Indian users with new alerts for narrow roads, designed to help drivers of four-wheelers avoid them. This feature leverages Google's advanced AI routing algorithms to estimate road widths.

• Narrow road alerts are currently live in eight Indian cities: Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Indore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati.
• This feature will be available for Android users initially and will be rolled out for iOS users later.
• Developers can integrate navigation features like narrow road alerts and flyover callouts into their third-party apps using Google's Routes API.

Other Updates to Google Maps India

In addition to these major features, Google Maps has announced other updates for India, including faster reporting options for users to flag ongoing construction or traffic accidents. The app also has a new "Lists" feature that lets users curate recommendations, such as "Top Breakfast Spots in Mumbai" or "Best Ocean-View Cafes in Goa."

• Google Maps is committed to providing users in India with an enhanced and localized experience.