BANGALORE, INDIA: Google today announced the launch of Google Map Maker (mapmaker.google.com) in India.

According to a company statement, it is conceived and developed by the Indian engineering team, that allows users to add or edit features, such as roads, businesses, parks, schools, apartment buildings, localities and more.

With Google Map Maker tools, users can add detailed information about these locations and this user- created geographical content is updated and made visible immediately to all other users, said a press release.

It also introduces peer moderation allowing users to review the data their peers have entered to ensure map quality and accuracy.

"Google Map Maker solves an inherent need especially for countries such as ours where maps data is sparse. This product embodies our passion to empower people everywhere, to share knowledge of the places they know best by creating maps," says Dr. Lalitesh Katragadda, Software Engineer and Creator of Google Map Maker. 

"This is a great achievement for our engineering team. India is a challenging market – but one that has inspired us to really focus on creating technology that addresses real issues around local content and usability" said Dr. Prasad Ram, head of Google R&D.
 
He added that the launch is the reinforcement of their commitment to bring more useful information to people around the world and especially in hyper-growth countries like India where maps are changing on a daily basis given the rapid pace of infrastructure development.

The statement mentioned that it would benefit the NGOs through effective mapping of belts in rural and sub-urban areas.

Other than India, Google Map Maker is available in 57 countries in Asia, the Island Nations, and the Caribbean.