AI-enabled crowd management system to be implemented in Sabarimala from this year

An Artificial Intelligence-enabled queue management system will be implemented in the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in the upcoming pilgrimage season scheduled to start mid-November, officials said here on Saturday (June 20). The system will be launched on a pilot basis this year before going into full-fledged operations in a phased manner, Travancore Devaswom Board president K. Jayakumar said.

He was addressing media after a meeting with three AI companies from Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai on the scope of deploying the cutting-edge technology for effectively managing the movement of lakhs of devotees visiting the hill shrine.

Real-time data

“The AI technology can help crowd management through predictive analyses. It can provide real-time data on capacity of each zones and parking lots. The plan is to take steps to ease pilgrim movement before crowds build up. It takes hours for us to solve certain situations now,” Mr. Jayakumar said.

Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau director Manoj Abraham, who also attended the meet, said the AI system integrating high resolution cameras, infrared cameras, sensors and drones will not only make predictive analyses but also provide real-time suggestions to the police officers in charge at the trekking path and the temple. “With effective use of the system, we can reduce the size of police deployment gradually,” he said.

Pathanamthitta District Police Chief R. Anand said the AI system with face-recognition technology will also be helpful in tracing the missing pilgrims, including children and elderly people.

Mr. Jayakumar said an expression of interest will be called for the implementation of the project after another round of discussion with the police. “The technological capacity and financial aspects of the proposals will be analysed by an expert committee before awarding the work order. We hope to complete the procedures by August 10, so that the operators will get 90-100 days to implement the system,” the official said.

New vision plan

He said the technology-driven crowd management has been envisaged as part of a new Vision Plan approved by the High Court. He said a new sanitation protocol will also be implemented in the pilgrimage site. As part of it, sanitation measures will be made part of the contracts signed with eateries and restaurants operating in and around Sabarimala, he said.

He said a campaign on the best practices for a better Sabarimala pilgrimage experience will be launched in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka as around 75% of the pilgrims visiting the temple are from the neighbouring States. “A news bulletin – Sabarimala Sandesh – will be launched in English first and in regional languages later. Campaigns will be conducted through social media, including YouTube,” he said.