Ahmedabad: Gujarat Police will deploy AI-based surveillance system along with drones to prevent stampede-like situation during the main Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad on June 27. An official gave this information. This step has been taken in view of the huge number of devotees coming in this Yatra.
Gujarat Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Wednesday assured that all arrangements are being made to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, scheduled for June 27.
The Gujarat Minister emphasised that the rath yatra holds a very important place and is a 'centre of devotion' for the people of the state.
Sanghavi said, "The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a huge centre of devotion for the people of Gujarat. Lakhs of people join the yatra. Today, the Jal yatra will be carried out on the bank of the Sabarmati as part of the rituals that are performed ahead of Rath Yatra."
"Preparations are being made for the Yatra that commences on June 27... It is the biggest Yatra - from both the perspectives - administration and devotion- 'Aastha and vyavastha,' he added.
Rath Yatra will start from the 400-year-old Lord Jagannath temple located in Jamalpur area at around 7 am on June 27. During the 16-km route of the yatra, it will pass through various areas of Jamalpur, including communally sensitive areas. The yatra will return to the temple at 8 pm. Rath Yatra usually involves 18 decorated elephants, 100 trucks and 30 akhadas. Lakhs of people gather on both sides of the route to get a glimpse of the deities.
AI-powered system will alert police about crowd pattern
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bharat Patel said on Tuesday that learning lesson from recent incidents related to mass gatherings including Bengaluru, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch will deploy an AI-powered 'Visual Analytics Software', which will alert the police about the crowd pattern.
Patel told reporters that in view of the stampede in some states, we have decided to use AI-powered software to monitor and manage the crowd during the Rath Yatra. According to the police, 14 to 15 lakh people are expected to attend the grand event to be held on June 27. Patel said that under the AI system, visual analysis software has been installed on the Yatra route in the police control room. Apart from this, live video feed will be received from CCTV cameras and drones.
Patel said that this AI system will help us to respond on time, send additional security forces to the spot if required and divert traffic as per need.
Prakash Kumar Pandey