India’s homegrown navigation app, Mappls by MapmyIndia, is making waves with new features and government support, bringing the spotlight back to indigenous technology. The company has urged the government to make Mappls pre-installed on all smartphones manufactured under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. According to CEO Rakesh Verma, this would not only promote “Swadeshi” tech but also ensure user data stays safely within the country, safeguarding privacy and national security. Already trusted by various government departments, MapmyIndia is exploring applications in defense, infrastructure, and automotive sectors.
Mappls offers a host of India-focused features designed to make navigation safer, smarter, and more convenient. Key functionalities include 3D junction and flyover views, live traffic signal countdowns, toll cost estimates, real-time alerts for speed limits, potholes, speed breakers, and accident-prone zones. The app also allows users to share precise locations through Mappls PINs and DigiPINs, supports multiple Indian languages, integrates with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and works offline for seamless navigation in areas with limited connectivity.
The app recently gained a big boost when Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw publicly endorsed it, calling Mappls a “Swadeshi alternative” to foreign navigation services. Testing the app in his car, the minister praised its features and announced that Indian Railways plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with MapmyIndia. Following the endorsement, MapmyIndia’s stock rose 2.26% to ₹1,826.90, reflecting growing investor confidence in the company.
Adding to its tech credentials, Bengaluru has become the first city in India to feature live traffic signal countdowns within the Mappls app. Through a collaboration with Bengaluru Traffic Police and Arcadis India, the app now shows real-time timers at 169 AI-powered junctions, helping drivers plan their commutes better. CEO Rohan Verma called the feature “magical and helpful,” noting that even being several hundred meters away, drivers can see the countdown and time their approach.
With government support, PLI integration, and smart city features like Bengaluru’s countdown signals, MapmyIndia is positioning Mappls to become a symbol of India’s push for homegrown, innovative, and safe digital solutions.
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