Google has introduced a valuable new feature to its Maps app, allowing users across the world to monitor real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) data. With over 2 billion active users globally, Google Maps has expanded its utility beyond navigation, making it easier for users to stay informed about environmental conditions that directly impact health and quality of life. This new addition is especially relevant for India, where AQI fluctuations are common in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Now, users can make informed decisions based on air quality, a need that becomes even more critical during peak pollution seasons.
The AQI feature on Google Maps updates hourly, allowing users to check current air quality levels in any location within India, as well as in over 100 countries worldwide. For Indian users, this means being able to assess the air quality of places like Delhi NCR, which often experiences high pollution levels, or hill stations like Shimla, where air quality tends to be healthier. This tool can prove essential in planning daily activities, especially for those with respiratory issues or health conditions sensitive to pollution. Google Maps presents AQI data in an accessible, colour-coded format based on the AQI scale, which ranges from 0 to 500. The breakdown includes.
- 0-50: Good (Green)
- 51-100: Satisfactory (Yellow)
- 101-200: Moderate (Orange)
- 201-300: Poor (Red)
- 301-400: Very Poor (Purple)
- 401-500: Severe (Maroon)
In addition to displaying air quality levels, the app offers practical insights and safety tips, particularly useful for India’s urban populace. For instance, when the AQI falls into the “severe” category, Google Maps suggests avoiding outdoor activities and encourages vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and children, to stay indoors.
For those in areas with consistently poor air quality, Google even links to resources on choosing suitable air purifiers. With air quality becoming a growing concern, especially in densely populated and industrial areas, Google’s AQI feature on Maps empowers Indian users to prioritise their health and well-being by staying updated on the air quality around them.
