Amid Centre's Swadeshi Tech Push, Ashwini Vaishnaw Backs ‘Mappls’, India's Homegrown Alternative To Google Maps

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has endorsed Mappls, an indigenous navigation app by MapmyIndia, reported The Hindustan Times.

His backing aligns with the government’s push for homegrown technologies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

On Saturday (11 October), Vaishnaw shared a video on X, demonstrating Mappls’ features, describing it as “Swadeshi ‘Mappls’ by MapmyIndia. Good features…must try.”

He also said the app has a bright prospect in Indian Railways and announced that an MoU would soon be signed with MapmyIndia to enhance railway navigation.

The minister highlighted Mappls’ 3D junction view, which shows detailed visuals of bridges and underpasses to prevent navigation errors.

He explained, “Wherever there is an over bridge or underpass, the app provides a three dimensional junction view to ensure that the users are not mistaken.”

The app can also guide users inside multistoried buildings.

Unlike foreign platforms, Mappls stores all map data and user information within India, ensuring greater data sovereignty and security.

MapmyIndia has also partnered with India Post to integrate the DIGIPIN system into its platform, creating India’s first comprehensive digital address system.

Developed with IIT Hyderabad and ISRO’s NRSC, DIGIPIN assigns geo-coded digital coordinates to every 3.8-square-metre block in the country.

Co-founder Rakesh Verma said Mappls PINs, combined with DIGIPIN, can even identify specific floors and flats.

Vaishnaw’s endorsement follows other ministers promoting indigenous apps like Zoho’s Arattai, reinforcing the government’s broader support for ‘Swadeshi’ digital solutions.

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