The Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) is set to launch Lokpath App-2, a new digital platform aimed at making road travel safer, smarter, and more convenient across the state. The app is being touted as more safety-focused than Google Maps, with unique features such as audio alerts at accident-prone black spots. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will formally inaugurate the app on Saturday during a state-level PWD training program.
A New Model of Technology and Safety
Developed in collaboration with Gujarat’s Bhaskaracharya Institute, Lokpath App-2 is being described as a first-of-its-kind initiative by any state government in India. Launched on the initiative of PWD Minister Rakesh Singh, the app goes beyond navigation to focus on road quality monitoring and traveler safety. It will provide comprehensive and updated data on all national highways, state highways, and major district roads in Madhya Pradesh.
Advanced Alerts at Black Spots
One of the app’s most distinctive features is its safety alert system. More than 450 accident-prone black spots identified across 142 highways in the state have been mapped in the app. As a vehicle approaches a black spot, the app will issue an audio warning one kilometer in advance, advising the driver to slow down. A second alert will be given at a distance of 200 meters—a feature not currently available on Google Maps.
An All-in-One Digital Guide for Travelers
Lokpath App-2 is not just a navigation tool; it is designed as a complete digital travel guide. The app will provide information on religious and tourist destinations, nearby hospitals, police stations, hotels, toll plazas, and toll charges. In emergencies, users can directly call an ambulance or 911 through the app. In case of an accident, it will also guide users to the nearest hospital and show the fastest route to reach it.
Public Participation and Engineer Accountability
The app encourages public participation by allowing citizens to report issues related to road and bridge quality. Users can upload photos of potholes, cracks, or construction defects directly from the site. Complaints will be assigned to the concerned engineers with defined timelines for resolution, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.
Special Training for Engineers
More than 1,500 engineers from across the state will participate in the state-level program on Saturday. During the event, a Capacity Building Framework document and a publication highlighting innovations from the past two years will be released. In the second session, engineers will receive specialized training on the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) to strengthen technical and financial monitoring of major road and bypass projects.