AI cameras to manage crowd, mobile app to guide devotees during Puri Rath Yatra: Odisha DGP

In a significant move to enhance crowd management and ensure safety and security during the upcoming annual Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha’s Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania on Sunday announced that the holy city will be under constant Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered surveillance this year.

The announcement came after a high-level preparatory meeting held at the DGP Camp Office on Sunday, focusing on seamless coordination among various departments ahead of the grand festival.

According to DGP Khurania, an Integrated Command Control Room will be established at the Town Police Station in Puri to oversee real-time monitoring of the crowd, traffic movement, and overall security arrangements. This central hub will operate round-the-clock, utilizing advanced technologies including AI for surveillance.

The command center will coordinate live feeds from hundreds of strategically placed high-resolution CCTV cameras installed across the city—from Uttara Chhak to the Jagannath Temple area and all the way to Konark. The system will automatically detect unusual movement patterns, crowd surges, and potential threats, allowing authorities to respond swiftly.

Must Read: Mobile phones banned for servitors during chariot pulling in Puri Rath Yatra: SJTA Chief Administrator

The DGP emphasized that the 2025 Rath Yatra will involve meticulous planning regarding crowd control, traffic management, and multi-agency coordination. 

What DGP said..

An elaborate arrangement has been made for the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri. AI-enabled CCTV cameras are being installed at different places. An advisory will be issued from the control room for the people at different times. An app has been developed through which people will get information the route through which they will have the convenience to go to Puri," said DGP Khurania.

"Information will also be available in the App about the convenient parking places. Different areas will be GI tagged and through AI we will be able to know about the crowd surge. We will be able to allot the deployed security personnel in those areas in this process. The traffic movement could also be tracked through the AI-enabled cameras and guidance will be provided accordingly," he added.