In this digital age, technological advancements have undoubtedly simplified life, but an overreliance on digital tools can sometimes lead to perilous situations. A harrowing incident in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district nearly cost a family their lives after Google Maps directed them onto a treacherous, non-existent route.
The family, hailing from Nalagarh, was travelling to Una for their daughter’s crucial examination. Instead of taking the safer main highway via Bharatgarh and Kiratpur, they trusted Google Maps’ suggestion and chose a supposedly shorter path, the Dabhauta bridge route. Unbeknownst to them, the bridge had been washed away nearly two years prior during floods and had remained unusable since.
As their car approached the fast-flowing river, it became trapped in the water and was carried several kilometres downstream. Fortunately, the quick intervention of local villagers ensured that all four occupants were rescued in time, averting a potential tragedy.
The family had initially planned to take the conventional Bharatgarh-Kiratpur route to Una. However, relying on Google Maps, they were diverted towards the defunct Dabhauta bridge, a route that no longer existed. With no warning signs or barricades in place, the vehicle plunged into the river, putting all four passengers in grave danger. Panic ensued as the car was swept away, but the courageous efforts of local residents saved the family from disaster.
The incident has sparked anger among locals, particularly the Dabhota panchayat head, who highlighted that Google Maps continues to display the destroyed bridge as a viable route. He emphasised that unsuspecting travellers are frequently misled into taking this hazardous path, risking their lives daily. Urging immediate action, he has demanded that the administration install prominent warning signs, barricades, and strict advisories to prevent further accidents.
Notably, in a similar incident, one person was killed and four sustained injuries after a car collided with a tree after hitting a barricade in MP’s Ujjain last month. According to reports, the passengers were following a route suggested by Google Maps that caused the accident.
