The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has partnered with MapmyIndia, an Indian technology company that builds digital map data, to create a local alternative to Google Maps.
Details like the name and tentative date of release of the upcoming app have not yet been revealed to the public.
In an official statement, ISRO said that the "collaboration will enable them to jointly identify and build holistic geospatial solutions utilising earth observation datasets" as well as other Indian-made geoportals.
ISRO's announcement took the Indian segment of Twitter by storm, with netizens showing appreciation for the decision. Memers also seized the opportunity to troll Google Maps over "inaccurate" directions on Indian roads.
ISRO is already developing the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) otherwise known as "Navigation with Indian Constellation (NaVIC)".
Currently, a constellation of seven satellites that form NavIC provides critical satellite-based navigation signals for both civilian and military purposes. The system can cover Indian geography as well as a region extending 932 miles (1,500 kilometres) around the system.
In 2020, Chinese smartphone-maker Xiaomi launched its Redmi Note 9 series replacing Google Maps with built-in NavIC.