Now, AI to help manage crowd rush at Sabarimala temple

Kochi: Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the state police are joining hands to launch an AI-enabled pilgrim management system to streamline the massive influx of devotees at Sabarimala temple during the annual pilgrimage season, beginning Nov 15.With the hill shrine witnessing a heavy rush of nearly 80,000 to one lakh devotees daily, managing the influx across key transit points — from Nilackal and Pampa up to Sannidhanam — presents a major challenge. Currently, crowd regulation relies on manual police checkpoints, leaving pilgrims in the dark about bottlenecks ahead. However, a joint consultation workshop by TDB and Kerala Police here on Saturday laid the groundwork for a technological intervention.“We plan to launch the system on a pilot basis from the upcoming pilgrimage season. The fill implementation will be done in various stages. The primary goal is real-time and predictive crowd control. By deploying AI cameras, infrared sensors and aerial drones, authorities will gain a composite, live picture of pilgrim density at every spot. Instead of letting everyone rush forward to stand in gruelling queues, the flow will be dynamically regulated.

If congestion builds up at the hilltop, pilgrims can be advised to wait comfortably at transit hubs,” said TDB president K Jayakumar.Beyond queue management, the technology promises to be a lifesaver. Last season, around 50 pilgrims tragically died while climbing the hill. Medical experts note that many of these deaths are preventable if interventions occur faster. An AI-enabled system can instantly spot a distressed devotee, alert ambulances, and rush medical aid without delay.

Additionally, the technology will streamline civic amenities — identifying water pipe leakages, spotting uncollected garbage, and instantly locating missing children or elderly citizens via facial recognition.The long-term benefits include a significant reduction in required police personnel and a downscaling of TDB’s 6,000-strong daily wage workforce. However, implementation faces steep constraints, notably the forest department’s restrictions on actions like drawing cables through protected forest land, alongside the sheer pressure of managing 80 lakh visitors within a tight 60-day window.Given the short timeframe, TDB will implement the project in phases. The plan is to launch a major pilot this season to gather vital data before a full-scale rollout next year. A detailed request for proposal will be drawn up alongside the police department to invite expressions of interest.“The contract is slated for award by Aug15, giving the successful bidder 100 days to deploy the system. Future plans also include integrating KSRTC bus schedules into the network,” Jayakumar said.