June 2 is a monumental day for residents of the new state of Telangana in southern India. After decades of struggle, the government of India decided to create an independent state of Telangana, separate from the state of Andhra Pradesh. Historically, backward and poor as compared to the rest of Andhra Pradesh, the hope is that a more empowered state can bring development to the people of Telangana.

Meanwhile, in the digital world – OpenStreetMap also welcomed Telangana with open arms. User PlaneMad created the state boundary relation, and it went live today – exactly the day that Telanga came into existence on the ground! Before it went live, the OpenStreetMap community had a chance to talk and discuss this change and prepare for the impending arrival of the state!

Here are the two state boundaries on OpenStreetMap today – Telangana

and the new, smaller Andhra Pradesh

Meanwhile, in proprietary-maps-world, Andhra Pradesh still remains in its traditional form. Uncorrected and denying the people of Telangana their existence for a few more weeks! Another win for community-crafted local maps!

Image source: Google Maps. (Used under fair-use exceptions to copyright law. Please file a DMCA request in case you disagree)

Thanks to help from Wambacher and OSM Boundaries I was able to create this overlay which shows both the states in one image.