![Ola CEO Aggarwal responds as Google decides to slash maps platform pricing for Indians](https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x960/filters:format(webp)/indianstartupnews/media/media_files/ResdGYAkWaouRrCQENrg.png)
India-born Sundar Pichai-led tech giant Google has decided to reduce the pricing of its Maps platform for developers in India starting August 1, 2024.
Notably, the company will reduce pricing for its core services by up to 70% and will also accept payments in Indian Rupees (INR). The tech giant also said that it will give a 90% discount to developers working with the Indian government-backed ONDC.
The announcement came after Ola Cabs' CEO Bhavish Aggarwal criticized Google's pricing policies and transitioned to its own in-house Ola Maps, saving Rs 100 crore in the process.
Following this, Aggarwal urged Indian developers to boycott Google Maps and switch to Ola Maps with free access for one year. Meanwhile, Aggarwal also claimed that Ola Maps will also include features such as street view, NERFs, indoor images, 3D maps, and drone maps.
"Dear Google, too little too late! Reducing prices for googlemaps, 'offering to price in ₹' after ExitGoogleMaps. Don’t need your fake generosity!" Aggarwal wrote in a X post.
Dear @Google, too little too late!
— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) July 17, 2024
Reducing prices for @googlemaps, “offering to price in ₹” after #ExitGoogleMaps. Don’t need your fake generosity!
Tomorrow, I’ll be writing a blog response and announcing major updates on Ola maps @Krutrim. Stay tuned! 🇮🇳💪 pic.twitter.com/XlXfp10J2L