In a landmark move for smarter policing, the Nagpur police force has rolled out a pioneering artificial intelligence project named 'AI Nirikshak'. This initiative marks Maharashtra's first-ever AI-based pilot program for crowd management and monitoring. The system is being deployed for the ongoing Maharashtra Winter Assembly Session 2025, which commenced on Monday in Nagpur, setting a new benchmark for proactive law enforcement in India.
A Strategic Tech Partnership for Public Safety
This innovative project is the result of a strategic collaboration between the Nagpur police, a private technology company based in Nagpur, and the global software giant Microsoft. The platform is powered by Microsoft Azure's robust cloud infrastructure, cognitive services, and advanced video analytics. It integrates and processes real-time data feeds from a comprehensive network of sources including fixed CCTV cameras, mobile surveillance vans, drones, and external road monitoring points.
The core AI orchestration engine, developed by the local tech firm, utilizes TensorFlow and PyTorch models for edge-based inference. This technological backbone enables the system to deliver predictive and scalable public safety solutions. The project was brought to life under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singal, with a core team comprising Deputy Commissioners of Police Lohit Matani, Rushikesh Reddy, Deepak Aggrawal, alongside other AI experts and technologists.
Core Capabilities of the AI Nirikshak System
At its heart, AI Nirikshak boasts sophisticated computer vision capabilities designed to preempt risks. A key feature is crowd density monitoring with heatmap-based hotspot detection, which identifies areas of rising congestion in real time. The system doesn't just react; it predicts by issuing surge alerts based on movement trends and multi-source data fusion, forecasting potential crowd build-up before it becomes critical.
The platform's vigilance extends to detecting a range of abnormal activities and threats. It is programmed to identify commotion, flag unattended objects, spot sharp weapons, and recognize suspicious behaviors. It also monitors for violations in restricted zones, such as unauthorized vehicles entering VIP routes or no-entry areas. Other critical highlights include:
- Facial recognition for suspect detection against police watchlists.
- Real-time measurement of crowd footfall for inflow and outflow at assembly gates.
- Object-based risk alerts for behavioral anomalies like loitering or attempts to bypass barriers.
The AI Chatbot and a Vision for the Future
A standout component, as highlighted by a senior officer, is the Police AI Agent ChatBot. This tool provides instant semantic search across a vast database of incidents, First Information Reports (FIRs), suspect profiles, vehicle histories, and live alerts. This capability enables faster decision-making and offers 24/7 digital assistance to both field officers and command center personnel.
CP Ravinder Singal, an expert strategist in crowd management, emphasized the vision behind AI Nirikshak. The goal is "to make Maharashtra a national leader in AI-powered crowd management, starting from Nagpur and scaling statewide". In pre-implementation meetings, Singal detailed how the system is expected to prevent dangerous overcrowding, enable early police intervention, ensure robust VIP route protection, and optimize the allocation of police manpower for smoother crowd movement.
The system is built with features like low-latency alerts, a GDPR-friendly architecture respecting data privacy, and scalability for city-wide networks. This establishes a real-time, predictive framework designed to manage high-density events, save lives, and serve as a replicable model for other Indian cities.
A key official stated that this pilot project significantly enhances situational awareness during the assembly session, which draws thousands of visitors and law enforcement personnel. It directly addresses historical risks such as crowd surges and security threats, including lessons from past stampede tragedies and terror incidents like the recent Delhi blast. As Maharashtra positions itself as a hub for artificial intelligence, this deployment underscores the state's commitment to technology-driven governance. The success of AI Nirikshak in Nagpur could pave the way for its adoption across Maharashtra, potentially transforming public safety management at festivals, political rallies, and other large gatherings.
