Simhastha 2028: Fire-fighting robots, drones, ATVs to be deployed

Ujjain: Fire-fighting robots, drones, and all-terrain vehicles will be deployed across the Simhastha 2028 mela grounds as part of atechnology-driven disaster management system being developed for the mega religious event, officials said on Friday.At the heart of the proposed system are All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Quick Response Vehicles (QRVs), both equipped with Compressed Air Foam Systems , designed to reach narrow lanes, ghat pathways, and heavily crowded areas where conventional fire engines cannot operate.Fire-fighting robots — remote-controlled and autonomous units — will be deployed in high-density and high-risk zones, allowing rescue and relief operations to be conducted without putting human lives at risk.UAV-based drone technology will enable real-time aerial surveillance of the mela grounds, with thermal imaging capabilities for early fire detection and damage assessment. The system also includes mobile and pre-fabricated command and control infrastructure that can be quickly set up, relocated, or expanded based on ground requirements.Municipal Commissioner Abhilash Mishra said that fire safety was not merely a requirement for the Simhastha event.

"It is a primary need of the entire city at present," he said. "With the use of modern technologies and new equipment, quick and effective fire-fighting services can be provided even in narrow lanes, ghat areas, and crowded locations."A live demonstration of the proposed systems was held at Dussehra Maidan on Friday, conducted by fire safety and disaster management expert PS Ranhagadale and his team in the presence of Collector Roshan Kumar Singh and Municipal Commissioner.