Maharashtra: AI-led crowd safety system planned for Kumbh 2027, targets zero fatalities

With an estimated 12 crore pilgrims expected to attend the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 the Maharashtra government is preparing an AIdriven 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 225 crore across Nashik and TrimbakeshwarHighLevel Strategy Workshop Shapes RoadmapThe roadmap emerged from a highlevel AI strategy workshop convened by the NashikTrimbakeshwar 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 dateThe 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 governanceAn 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 RandiveRepresentatives from leading technology organisations such as Meta Google Microsoft and MIT Media Lab along with Bhashini Soketai and Adyaai also participatedlsquoKumbh AI Stackrsquo to Power RealTime Decision MakingAt the core of the plan is a ldquoKumbh AI Stackrdquo mdash a purposebuilt artificial intelligence architecture that will process realtime data from thousands of CCTV cameras IoT sensors surveillance drones and mobile networksThe 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 simultaneouslyThreeTier Framework for CoordinationThe AI platform will operate on a threetier framework delivering realtime 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 conditionslsquoKumbhDootrsquo to Assist PilgrimsFor pilgrims the initiative promises a more guided and accessible experience A key feature under development is ldquoKumbhDootrdquo an AIpowered digital assistant being built in partnership with a nonprofit organisationDesigned 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 realtime updates on crowd density acting as a digital companion throughout the pilgrimageSmart City Infrastructure to Be IntegratedThe AI system will build on Nashikrsquos existing smart city infrastructure which includes around 1300 CCTV cameras with an additional 4000 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 frameworkTesting Through lsquoAI SandboxrsquoTo ensure preparedness a dedicated ldquoKumbh AI Sandboxrdquo will be set up allowing technology partners to test and validate their solutions under simulated mela conditions before fullscale deploymentOfficials said the approach marks a significant shift in managing large religious gatherings in India from reactive crowd control to predictive datadriven governance focused on both safety and the overall pilgrim experienceEvent Timeline and ScaleThe 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 225 crore in a single day making it one of the largest human gatherings in the world