Years After Being Banned, Google Street View Relaunched In India

Years after being banned in India over security concerns, Google Street View is finally back in the country.

Google said Street View will be available on Google Maps in India with fresh imagery. Image: Google

Years after being banned in India over security concerns, Google Street View is finally back in the country. Now, Google has for the first time joined hands with local partners like Tech Mahindra and Genesys International to relaunch Google Street View in India.

On Wednesday (July 27), Google said Street View will be available on Google Maps in India with fresh imagery that the tech giant has licensed from its local partners -- leading technology companies, Genesys International and Tech Mahindra. Mumbai-based Genesys International and Tech Mahindra have covered more than 150,000 km spanning 10 cities in the country including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Nashik, Vadodara, Ahmednagar, and Amritsar. Google aims to expand Street View to more than 50 cities by the end of 2022.

“Technology is not just the backbone of the global economy, but is also a strategic tool which can turn insights into solutions, uncover trends and predictions, and transform businesses in a sustainable manner. Today, there is an increasing need for technologies that turn insights from GIS (Geographic Information Systems) into ready products that can be utilized by customers," Birendra Sen, Business Head, Business Process Services, Tech Mahindra:

"The GIS industry has only grown manifold with time, owing to increased data availability and the development of smart cities all over the world. In line with this, our partnership with Google is another step toward delivering high-quality and immersive mapping experiences to the people of India.”

Meanwhile, to help support road safety efforts in India, Google Maps would now show speed limits information shared by traffic authorities, starting with Bengaluru and Chandigarh. Google is also partnering with more cities in surfacing speed limits info on Google Maps.

How to launch Google Street View?

To launch Street View, open Google Maps, zoom into a road in any of these target cities and tap the area you want to view. Get to know the local cafes, and cultural hotspots, or check out the local neighbourhood. Street View will help you navigate and explore new corners of the country and the world in a more visual and accurate way, enabling you to fully experience what it’s like to be in these places, right from your phone or computer.