While commercial map providers like Google, provide map data in local Indian languages, the local language labels are usually transliterated from English, resulting in errors. OSM, Wikidata and Wikipedia platforms provide a way to improve the local language maps leveraging multilingual labels through Wikidata identifiers on OSM, through semi automated updates. For good quality maps on Wikipedia and OSM, the Wikidata location needs to be accurate and Wikidata identifier should be uniquely mapped to the actual OSM geometry. I worked on removing the mismatches for villages of a district in Andhra Pradesh. I have documented my experience as clearly as possible, so that even users with less programming and tools skills can contribute to the work. As an example, identifying and fixing errors in Wikidata location is given below.

Identifying and fixing error in locations on Wikidata pages

The geodata is presented in Wikidata page and corresponding English Wikipedia article page using OSM as background map. If one notices that the marker is not near to the names identified on OSM map, then there is possibility of an error. Even if the name is identified on OSM background map, selecting different zoom levels allows checking whether the place is in the correct location.

The correct geolocation is obtained from Open Data compliant StateGIS portal run by Bharatmaps.

After Wikidata coordinate location is updated with the correct data, Wikidata page and the corresponding English wiki article show the correct map.

Full article covers how to identify more complex errors based on the geographical distance between Wikidata location and OSM node location and also when the Wikidata and OSM geometry that is associated are outside the area of interest. Sample Wikidata Sparql scripts leveraging Sophox interface to OSM, which can be easily edited are provided to help contributors with less programming and tool skills to contribute to these efforts.

For more information, check out Improving geodata accuracy on OSM and Wikidata (Full article on OSM wiki) and let me know your feedback.