For the first time, Mumbai Police today used AI technology during Ganpati Visarjan to manage crowds and monitor processions.

An AI-based control room is in operation at the police commissioner’s office to track real-time movement of prominent Ganpati idols using QR codes, and to detect crowd sizes, route changes or potential disruptions.

Drones are being used for surveillance lighting, and making public announcements. Alongside this, around 10,000 CCTV cameras and additional cameras installed along procession routes are helping enhance monitoring. “Approximately 25,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city for security arrangements, supported by electronic surveillance. Drones assist with aerial crowd monitoring, lighting and public announcements,” said Satya Narayan, Joint Commissioner of Law and Order.

Through AI, police are receiving information on the current location of the procession, the number of people in the crowd, the route taken and whether there is an unscheduled halt, which indicates a problem following this action was taken at various places which includes managing traffic as well as crowd," explained an official.

The immersion processions attract devotees and onlookers in large numbers, leading to a surge in pedestrian and vehicular traffic, to manage the situation, diversions and restrictions have been put in place across South Mumbai, central areas, and the eastern suburbs and used of IA is really helped us in monitoring the situation official added. Vehicles carrying Ganpati idols from prominent mandals, such as the Lalbaugcha Raja, have been affixed with a QR code which is being used for monitoring the movement of the procession real-time.

Over 6,500 community Ganesh idols and 1.75 lakh household idols are going to be immersed at various locations, including beaches, artificial lakes, and other water bodies across Mumbai.

The police have urged citizens to cooperate with authorities and use public transport wherever possible to avoid delays.