Current Affairs
UP Police Leverage AI for Crowd Management at Mahakumbh Mela 2025
The UP Police is employing the latest technological approaches to control the expected massive congregation at Mahakumbh Mela 2025 at Prayagraj. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Mahakumbh Mela, Rajesh Kumar Dwivedi, highlighted integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology (including digital tools) in the Mela, to handle large crowds and to deliver a smooth pilgrimage experience.
AI-Powered Surveillance
Around 2,700 CCTV cameras are to be set up on the Mela grounds of which 328 have been installed with the help of AI. Such AI-based cameras will be applied to measure crowd density “in the wild” automatically sending the alarm to the agencies to prevent the crowd formation and along the way the emergency trouble, such as the stampede. This system is an extension of 24/7 alertness to enhance the safety and security of tens of millions of visitors to arrive.
Dedicated Mobile Application
In an attempt to strengthen crowd control and to improve emergency response, the police have created the “Mahakumbh Mela 2025 Police” mobile application. This application facilitates real-time communication among personnel, incident reporting, and update status, and as such, improves coordination and reaction to the event. For the main purpose in crowd control an expeditiously responsive would be aided by this.
Comprehensive Preparations
The Mahakumbh Mela of the 12 years cycle is well known as one of the world’s largest religious congregations. For the six weeks, it is predicted that in 2025 there will be more than 400 million participants, over the six weeks. As a response to this wave, a temporary city, 4000 hectares in size, has been set up with advanced infrastructural facilities such as tents, food restaurants, toilets and improved electrical facilities and transport facilities. Since the state government is prepared to spend 64 billion rupees for the celebrations, the festival has cultural and political significance for the nation.
Safety and Security Measures
Apart from the technological interventions, there will be an employment of about 40,000 police in a number of Departments such as districts of Uttar Pradesh Police force, personnel of Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary (UP-PAC), National Disaster Response Force as well as Central Armed Police Forces, for the purpose of maintaining law and order and preventing disturbances. Due to the high amount of cameras the 24/7 surveillance and the enhanced monitoring of the Mela zone will be delivered.
Challenges and Past Incidents
Managing such a massive congregation presents significant challenges. Despite better safety regulations, the regrettable incidents of the past witnessed fatal events. Recently, the Kumbh Mela stampede caused the death of 39 people, stressing the urgent need for the development of efficient crowd management plans.
UP Police’s proactive use of AI and digital tools to provide citizens a safe and spiritually fulfilling experience during the Mahakumbh Mela 2025, forms a part of their innovative security strategy.
