Maha Kumbh 2025: AI and Drones Transform Crowd Management for the World’s Largest Religious Gathering
As the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 unfolds in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the event, which draws millions of pilgrims from across the world, is witnessing a remarkable fusion of ancient traditions and modern technology. For the first time in history, AI-driven cameras, drones, and mobile tracking apps are playing a pivotal role in ensuring crowd safety, order, and accuracy during this massive religious gathering.
“Drone-ing in on Devotion”
In a groundbreaking move to ensure the safety of devotees at the Surakshit #Mahakumbh2025, @kumbhMelaPolUP has conducted trials of the state-of-the-art AI-powered tethered drones for enhanced security and surveillance. #SurakshitKumbh#drones pic.twitter.com/r106xR5ERb
— Kumbh Mela Police UP 2025 (@kumbhMelaPolUP) October 24, 2024
With crowd sizes often exceeding several million, effective crowd management is critical. The Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh has rolled out an innovative suite of technological solutions to address these challenges, aiming to offer a safe, well-monitored, and organized environment for the millions of devotees that gather at the Kumbh.
Glimpses from the sacred banks of Triveni Sangam come alive with devotion as millions gather for the world’s largest spiritual congregation, embracing faith, tradition, and the divine energy of Maha Kumbh 2025!#Mahakumbh2025 #Mahakumbh #MahaKumbhOnDD #महाकुम्भ #Prayagraj… pic.twitter.com/2fAuQYI6YF
— DD News (@DDNewslive) January 17, 2025
Cutting-Edge Technology at the Maha Kumbh Mela
The integration of advanced technology into the Maha Kumbh 2025 represents a significant shift in how such large-scale events are managed. Over 1,800 CCTV cameras have been strategically placed across the Kumbh Mela area, which spans the sprawling ghats of Prayagraj. Of these, 700 cameras are temporary, with the remainder being permanent installations.
These cameras are not just passive surveillance tools; they are equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), enabling them to analyze crowd density in real-time and provide near-instantaneous estimates of the number of individuals present in various sections of the event. By feeding this data into a central Command and Control Centre, authorities can assess crowd flow, identify potential overcrowding, and deploy resources to manage traffic and avoid dangerous congestion.
Drones for Aerial Monitoring and Risk Management
In addition to AI-powered cameras, drones are now an essential part of crowd monitoring. Flying over the Kumbh Mela, drones capture aerial imagery that provides a birds-eye view of the crowd. This helps authorities understand how crowds are forming and moving throughout the event.
The drones can also measure crowd density at specific hotspots—areas where congestion may be more likely. If any part of the gathering shows signs of overcrowding, the drone-captured data is transmitted directly to the central monitoring system, prompting immediate responses to alleviate the risk of overcrowding and ensure safety.
This dual-layered approach, combining both AI-based cameras and drones, gives authorities the ability to not only estimate crowd numbers but also detect potential risks, such as overcrowding, long before they escalate into safety concerns.
Mobile Tracking for Enhanced Crowd Estimates
To ensure even greater accuracy in crowd monitoring, the government has introduced a mobile tracking application. This innovative tool estimates the number of people in a given area by analyzing the number of active mobile devices present. As a supplementary method to camera-based monitoring, it adds another layer of precision to the crowd-counting process, reducing any potential gaps in data.
By capturing real-time information from mobile devices, the app contributes significantly to estimating crowd size at key areas, such as the ghats and entry points, helping authorities make timely decisions based on real-time data.
Centralized Command and Control Center
At the heart of the technological infrastructure is the Central Command and Control Centre based in Prayagraj. Here, a team of senior police officials and technical experts have access to a sophisticated dashboard displaying live data fed by AI algorithms. This centralized system allows authorities to track real-time crowd density and receive instant alerts if crowd numbers surpass safe limits.
If the system detects unusual surges in crowd size or any signs of potential issues, immediate alerts are triggered, allowing for quick intervention. This ensures the safety of the devotees and helps prevent incidents before they occur.
Traditional Methods and Coordination with Local Authorities
While cutting-edge technology is playing a central role, the government has not abandoned traditional methods. Local intelligence units, with years of experience managing large crowds, continue to collect data and provide critical insights. The coordination between high-tech systems and the traditional intelligence network ensures that no potential risks are overlooked.
Additionally, authorities have also focused on managing the inflow of pilgrims by monitoring transport hubs such as train stations, bus terminals, and parking lots. By tracking the movement of devotees arriving via trains, buses, and private vehicles, the government can better manage the flow of people into the Mela, helping to avoid bottlenecks and ease congestion.
Technology’s Role in Ensuring Safety at Maha Kumbh 2025
The combination of AI-driven cameras, drones, mobile tracking apps, and real-time data is setting a new standard for crowd management at religious events. The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is not only a spiritual journey for millions of pilgrims but also a case study in how technology can enhance the safety and efficiency of such large gatherings.
Incorporating these technologies into the Maha Kumbh has made the event safer, more organized, and more accessible to the masses. With this highly advanced crowd management system, the Uttar Pradesh government is ensuring that the Kumbh remains a beacon of order, safety, and religious unity while embracing the technological innovations of the future.