The Uttar Pradesh government has planned to use the Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled cameras, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) wristbands and mobile app tracking to track the headcount of pilgrims at the upcoming Mahakumbh starting in Prayagraj on January 13.

The government expects footfall of approximately 450 million devotees at the religious carnival, which is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in which a largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims take a dip in a sacred river. The Mahakumbh will continue for 45 days till February 26, 2025.

The Mahakumbh is being organised at Prayagraj after 12 years. On the arrangements made for the event, U.P. Cabinet Minister Suresh Khanna stated that three technical methods will be used to count the number of individuals visiting the event.

The first is attribute-based search, in which tracking will be conducted using person attribute search cameras. The second involves RFID wristbands, which will be provided to pilgrims. Through these wristbands, entry and exit times will be tracked using RFID readers. The third method is mobile app tracking, in which, with the consent of pilgrims, their location will be tracked through GPS using a mobile application, he said.

Speaking about how the U.P. government is committed to making Mahakumbh a fully digital event, the Minister informed about the plan to launch a dedicated website and app, an AI-powered chatbot in 11 languages, QR code-based passes for people and vehicles, and a multilingual digital lost-and-found centre for visitors.

“There will be an ICT monitoring for cleanliness and tents, software for land and facility allocation, multilingual digital signage (VMD), an automated ration supply system, drone-based surveillance and disaster management, live software for monitoring 530 projects, an inventory tracking system, and integration of all locations on Google Maps,” he added.

The Minister also informed that 35 existing permanent ghats and nine new ghats have been constructed in the Mahakumbh city to facilitate bathing for devotees. Aerial flower showers will be carried out across all 44 ghats spread across a 12-km area.