In a world first, Google is expanding Maps’ Street View functionality in India without acquiring any data. Instead, it relies on Genesys International and Tech Mahindra, who have traveled over 150,000 km in 10 cities: Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Nashik, Vadodara, Ahmednagar and Amritsar. Google says the plan is to expand Street View to more than 50 Indian cities by the end of the year.
To use Street View, open Google Maps, zoom in on a street in one of the aforementioned cities and tap the area you want to view. The Street View API also became available to local developers on this occasion.
Also in India, Google Maps now shows information on speed limits shared by traffic authorities, starting with Bengaluru and Chandigarh. More cities should get it in the future. Eight cities now get information on road closures and accidents on Google Maps: Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Gurgaon, Bangalore and Agra.
Google has also partnered with Bengaluru traffic police to help optimize stoplight times, and a pilot project has resulted in a nearly 20% reduction in congestion at all intersections. This will extend across Bengaluru and the pilot will expand to Calcutta and Hyderabad in the coming months.
Finally, in partnership with the Central Pollution Control Board, Google Maps is showing “authoritative air quality information”, which will be available by tapping the Levels button in the top right and selecting the Air Quality option.
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