Ujjain family, following Google Maps, gets lost in Karnataka jungle on way to Goa; rescued by police

Khanapur, Belagavi: A satellite-powered navigational tool guided a family from Ujjain into the dark, dense forests of the Western Ghats, where they endured an agonising ordeal before being rescued by the police.

The Ujjain-based family, on its way to Porvorim in Goa to attend a programme, used Google Maps to help navigate the journey and was directed through what would have, but for the recent spell of inclement weather, been a shorter route to the neighbouring state. Unfortunately, the road, having turned slushy owing to the recent showers, proved impossible to negotiate, and the family was stuck in the forests of the Western Ghats near Khanapur.

Rajdas Ranjitdas from Ujjai, who was driving the car, steered the vehicle on a shortcut to Goa after reaching the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Belagavi district. This route, the map promised, would reduce the distance by 25km. While it was smooth sailing till he made it to the Sindhnur-Hemmadga State Highway, the narrow road that ran through the forests had disappeared under a thick film of slush. Around 10 pm on Wednesday, the car was stuck in the slush on the road somewhere between Jamgaon and Krishnapur villages. It was understandably terrifying not just for Ranjitdas, but his wife, two children and mother.

To make matters worse, he found that it was impossible to communicate on his mobile in the forests. Left with no choice, the family, despite being aware that wild animals prowled beside them, spent a fitful night in the car. Around 6.20 am on Thursday, Ranjitdas trekked around 6km just so he could find a mobile signal, and call for help. When he first dialled 100 to reach the police, he was guided to the ERRS number – 112. Routed to personnel at the Khanapur police station, Ranjitdas informed them of his problem and sought help.

Police Inspector Manjunath Nayak asked Ranjitdas to share the details of his live location on the phone, using which they could track him, and offer assistance. Once Ranjitdas shared the information, Assistant Sub-Inspector K I Badiger, Head Constable Jayaram Hanumannavar, and Constable Manjunath Musale reached the spot and were able to rescue the family. Not long after 7 am on Thursday, the family was out of the woods. Ranjitdas, and members of his family, were brought back to Khanapur, where they received first-aid, and breakfast. He was then advised to take an alternative route to Goa.