23 April,2026 06:21 PM IST | Mumbai | Archana Dahiwal
Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority meeting with senior officials
With an estimated 12 crore pilgrims expected to attend the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027, the Maharashtra government is preparing an AI-driven predictive management system aimed at ensuring safe and seamless movement of devotees. The initiative sets an ambitious goal of achieving zero fatalities, even on peak days when footfall could reach up to 2.25 crore across Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.
The roadmap emerged from a high-level AI strategy workshop convened by the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA) in Mumbai. The meeting brought together senior bureaucrats, police officials and global technology firms to design what is being positioned as the most technologically advanced Kumbh Mela to date.
The consultation is part of a broader series of expert engagements initiated under the vision of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has emphasised the role of technology as a key pillar of governance.
An NTKMA spokesperson said senior officials present at the meeting included Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister Kaustubh Dhavse, Nashik Divisional Commissioner Praveen Gedam, IG Rajesh Pradhan, Kumbh Mela Commissioner Shekhar Singh, DIG (Wireless) G. Shridhar, SP (Wireless) Raja Ramaswamy, NMC Additional Municipal Commissioner Amit Ranjan, MahaIT CEO Sanjay Katkar and NTKMA Additional Commissioner Kamlakar Randive.
Representatives from leading technology organisations such as Meta, Google, Microsoft and MIT Media Lab, along with Bhashini, Soket.ai and Adya.ai, also participated.
At the core of the plan is a "Kumbh AI Stack" - a purpose-built artificial intelligence architecture that will process real-time data from thousands of CCTV cameras, IoT sensors, surveillance drones and mobile networks.
The system will convert raw data into actionable insights, enabling authorities to manage crowd flow, enhance safety and improve service delivery. Officials said the platform is designed to move beyond reactive measures by anticipating crowd surges before they occur, identifying sanitation and public health stress points in advance, and coordinating emergency responses across both cities simultaneously.
The AI platform will operate on a three-tier framework - delivering real-time information to pilgrims, operational instructions to field teams and control rooms, and strategic insights to senior leadership. This layered approach is expected to ensure coordinated action at every level, especially during peak crowd conditions.
For pilgrims, the initiative promises a more guided and accessible experience. A key feature under development is "KumbhDoot," an AI-powered digital assistant being built in partnership with a non-profit organisation.
Designed to be inclusive, the assistant will be accessible on both smartphones and basic feature phones through WhatsApp, IVR helplines, mobile applications, public kiosks and public announcement systems. It will provide navigation support, transport assistance, health guidance and real-time updates on crowd density, acting as a digital companion throughout the pilgrimage.
The AI system will build on Nashik's existing smart city infrastructure, which includes around 1,300 CCTV cameras, with an additional 4,000 planned. The city already has intelligent traffic management systems, smart parking, environmental sensors and smart lighting, all of which will be integrated into the larger AI framework.
To ensure preparedness, a dedicated "Kumbh AI Sandbox" will be set up, allowing technology partners to test and validate their solutions under simulated mela conditions before full-scale deployment.
Officials said the approach marks a significant shift in managing large religious gatherings in India - from reactive crowd control to predictive, data-driven governance focused on both safety and the overall pilgrim experience.
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela will be held from June 15 to September 30, 2027, across Nashik and Trimbakeshwar, located about 31 kilometres apart. Peak footfall is projected to reach 2.25 crore in a single day, making it one of the largest human gatherings in the world.
