AI system to manage Sabarimala crowd next season; three firms in fray

KOCHI: In a major technological upgrade to streamline pilgrim management, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven crowd control system will be introduced at the Sabarimala hill shrine during the upcoming Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is currently in discussions with three tech firms, including one that successfully managed crowd control at the Kumbh Mela. The tendering process for the project is scheduled to be finalized by early August.

Under the new system, a comprehensive GPS mapping of Sabarimala and its transit routes will be created by integrating high-resolution cameras, infrared (IR) sensors, and drones. This network will generate real-time "heat maps" to predict and identify potential crowd build-ups well in advance, allowing authorities to intervene before bottlenecks occur. Both the police department and TDB staff have already commenced specialized training to operate the system.

The project will be rolled out across key transit points, dividing Nilakkal, Pamba, Appachimedu, Marakkoottam, and Saramkuthi into dedicated control zones. As a precursor to the launch, authorities will initiate an awareness campaign titled 'Sabarimala Sandesham' targeting pilgrims from neighboring states to emphasize the mandatory nature of virtual queue bookings.

The progress of the AI project was reviewed at a high-level meeting in Kochi, led by TDB President K. Jayakumar and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Manoj Abraham.

Key Features of the AI System

The proposed technology will introduce several real-time monitoring and safety features:

• Instant Police Alerts: Field officers will receive automated crowd-control directives and alerts via WhatsApp and SMS as density increases in specific zones.
• Facial Recognition: Advanced facial recognition cameras will be deployed to quickly trace missing children or elderly pilgrims, as well as to identify known criminals.
• Dynamic Wait Times: Digital display screens installed at Nilakkal and Pamba will provide pilgrims with real-time estimates of the time required for darshan.
• Smart Utilities and Parking: The system will enable smart parking management at Nilakkal and Pamba. It will also monitor the trekking routes to detect public waste accumulation, water pipe bursts, and medical emergencies.

Clarifying the nature of the project, TDB President K. Jayakumar stated that while recommendations for AI integration had been raised previously during the Global Ayyappa Sangam, the current workshop and implementation plan should be viewed as an independent, official initiative.