AI-Powered Crowd Control at Sabarimala
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and Kerala Police are collaborating to introduce an AI-enabled pilgrim management system at Sabarimala temple, starting with the annual pilgrimage season on November 15. The system aims to manage the daily influx of 80,000 to one lakh devotees, which poses significant challenges at transit points like Nilackal, Pampa, and Sannidhanam.
Currently, crowd regulation relies on manual police checkpoints, leaving pilgrims unaware of bottlenecks ahead. A joint consultation workshop held on Saturday outlined the technological intervention.
Real-Time Monitoring and Predictive Control
According to TDB president K Jayakumar, the system will be launched on a pilot basis this season, with full implementation in 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,” he said. Instead of forcing pilgrims into long queues, the flow will be dynamically regulated, advising them to wait comfortably at transit hubs if congestion builds up at the hilltop.
Life-Saving Potential and Amenities
Last season, around 50 pilgrims died while climbing the hill, many from preventable causes if interventions occurred faster. The AI system can instantly spot a distressed devotee, alert ambulances, and rush medical aid. It will also streamline civic amenities by identifying water pipe leakages, spotting uncollected garbage, and locating missing children or elderly via facial recognition.
Long-Term Benefits and Challenges
The technology is expected to reduce the need for police personnel and downscale TDB’s 6,000-strong daily wage workforce. However, implementation faces constraints, including forest department restrictions on drawing cables through protected land and managing 80 lakh visitors within a 60-day window.
Phased Implementation
Given the tight timeframe, TDB will implement the project in phases. A major pilot this season will gather vital data before a full-scale rollout next year. A detailed request for proposal will be drawn up with the police department to invite expressions of interest. “The contract is slated for award by August 15, giving the successful bidder 100 days to deploy the system. Future plans also include integrating KSRTC bus schedules into the network,” Jayakumar said.
