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Mumbai commuters were left baffled and frustrated when Google Maps mistakenly renamed the Western Express Highway (WEH) as ‘Western Urban Road’ between Bandra and Goregaon. The sudden change not only caused navigation confusion but also raised concerns about the accuracy of digital mapping, as past errors on Google Maps have led to serious accidents in India and worldwide.
Confusion Leads to Travel Disruptions
Western Express Highway is a major arterial road connecting Mumbai’s suburbs to the city, with thousands of vehicles using it daily. However, due to the unexpected renaming, several issues emerged:
- Cab drivers and delivery agents struggled to locate the correct route.
- Navigation apps misdirected commuters, causing traffic disruptions.
- New drivers and outstation visitors were misled, leading to unnecessary detours.
- Emergency services relying on digital maps faced potential delays.
Google Maps Blunders Have Led to Accidents Before
These incidents highlight the dangers of blindly trusting digital maps without verifying the route, especially in critical situations.
This is not the first time a Google Maps error has caused chaos. There have been several incidents where inaccurate mapping or incorrect route guidance has resulted in accidents and even fatalities:
- Karnataka Tragedy (2023): A family followed Google Maps, which directed them to a flooded bridge, leading to their car being swept away in a river.
- Kerala Cliff Fall (2022): A biker lost his life after Google Maps suggested an unsafe shortcut through a steep cliffside.
- Nagpur Railway Track Mishap (2021): A man was directed onto a railway track instead of a road, leading to a fatal accident.
- Bengaluru Lake Incident (2019): Two techies drowned after their car was led into an overflowing lake by the navigation app.
- Greater Noida(2025): Google Maps fault leads to fatal accident in Greater Noida, car falls into 30-foot sewer –
Was the WEH Renaming Intentional or a Glitch?
With no official announcement from authorities regarding a name change, speculation arose about the reason behind it:
- Regulatory Loophole Theory: Some suggested it could be a way to bypass highway liquor sale restrictions by reclassifying the road as an “urban road.”
- Google Maps Data Error: Others believe it might be a mapping mistake or an unverified user edit that mistakenly went live.
- Navigation Update: Some argued that it could be part of a broader reclassification of roads, though no similar changes have been reported.
Social Media Reacts with Memes and Criticism
The blunder led to a flood of memes and jokes on social media:
- “Mumbai’s traffic is bad enough, now even Google Maps is making things worse!”
- “At this rate, Google will rename Marine Drive to ‘Western Coastal Street’ next!”
- “Maybe Google is just preparing us for the future of Mumbai’s road chaos!”
Google Yet to Respond
Despite multiple reports from users, Google has not issued any official statement regarding the renaming of the highway. Commuters have flagged the issue, urging the tech giant to restore the correct name to avoid further confusion.
A Digital Blunder with Real-World Impact
While digital navigation tools have revolutionised travel, blind reliance on them can be risky. The renaming of Mumbai’s Western Express Highway might seem like a minor error, but it highlights the larger issue of digital mapping accuracy—especially when past Google Maps blunders have led to serious accidents.
Until Google fixes the mistake, Mumbaikars must double-check their routes and not rely solely on digital navigation!
