Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela to get a ‘Digital Twin’: AI to simulate crowds, traffic and emergencies

For Simhastha 2027, the Digital Twin is being planned as a decision-support system for crowd management, traffic, emergency response, disaster preparedness, and other critical operations. Representational pic

The Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority is planning to develop an AI-enabled ‘Digital Twin' for Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 to manage massive crowds, traffic, emergencies, and coordination among multiple agencies more effectively.

The proposed system is expected to create a digital replica of the Kumbh Mela area, integrating GIS-based 2D and 3D maps, real-time operational data, and artificial intelligence (AI). The Digital Twin is proposed to be integrated with the existing Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC).

The system is expected to enable authorities to monitor changing conditions, analyse potential challenges, generate alerts, and simulate different scenarios digitally. This will allow officials to assess possible situations and prepare responses before they occur on the ground.

What is a Digital Twin?

A Digital Twin is a digital replica of a physical area or system that uses real-time data to monitor conditions and simulate possible scenarios. For Simhastha 2027, the proposed Digital Twin will combine GIS-based 2D and 3D maps, real-time information and AI to help authorities understand conditions across the Mela area.

The system would be able to identify changing conditions, potential crowd pressure points, and various risks, while also allowing officials to digitally simulate different scenarios before they occur in reality.

For Simhastha 2027, the Digital Twin is being planned as a decision-support system for crowd management, traffic, emergency response, disaster preparedness, and other critical operations. Final decisions, however, will continue to be taken after human supervision and verification.

Crowd conditions can be assessed in advance

One of the key applications of the Digital Twin will be crowd management and safety. The system is expected to analyse crowd density, movement patterns and potential pressure points.

For high-footfall days, particularly the Amrit Snan, different crowd scenarios can be digitally simulated to improve preparedness and management planning.

For instance, if congestion increases on a particular route, traffic patterns change or a large number of devotees suddenly gather at one location, officials will be able to simulate various response options digitally. This could help authorities move from a reactive approach to anticipatory crowd management.

Traffic management to be digitally simulated

The Digital Twin is proposed to be used for traffic and transportation planning. Authorities will be able to analyse the movement of vehicles and devotees, parking arrangements, and different traffic routes together.

Various traffic-management options can be tested digitally before being implemented on the ground, potentially enabling more accurate and efficient planning during the Kumbh.

Multiple Kumbh-related services on one digital platform

The proposed Digital Twin will not be limited to crowd and traffic management. The authority plans to integrate information related to healthcare and emergency response, sanitation and waste management, public toilets and facilities, temporary infrastructure, electricity and other utilities, environmental and river conditions, weather and disaster risks, manpower and volunteer management, and lost-and-found services.

The system is also expected to provide location-based alerts and messages, enabling devotees, officials and response agencies in a particular area to receive relevant information quickly.

Part of the ‘Maha Simhastha Kumbh AI Stack'

The proposed ‘Maha Simhastha Kumbh AI Stack' will be a key component of the authority's digital initiatives. The Digital Twin is expected to support crowd analysis, traffic planning, simulation and disaster modelling.

The proposed digital ecosystem will also include an AI-powered call centre, AI-enabled lost-and-found service and ‘Kumbhdut' AI assistant.

The Kumbh website and mobile application, crowd-density heat maps, maps and routes, health and emergency SOS services, weather and disaster information, traffic and parking information, sanitation and public facilities, as well as travel and accommodation services are also proposed to be integrated into the digital ecosystem.

‘Human oversight will remain central'

Kumbh Mela Authority Commissioner Shekhar Singh said the Digital Twin would follow a ‘human-in-the-loop' approach, ensuring that human supervision and verification remain part of the decision-making process.

"The objective is to enable officials and field agencies to anticipate situations, evaluate different options and take appropriate decisions at the right time with the help of technology. Human supervision and verification will continue alongside intelligent automated systems," Singh said.

Digital replica of Kumbh Mela for real-time monitoring, simulation, and decision support

Key applications:
Crowd analysis and safety
Traffic and transportation management
Health and emergency response
Weather and disaster management
Sanitation, waste, and public facilities
Temporary infrastructure and utilities
Manpower and volunteer management
Lost-and-found and citizen services.