Ahmedabad Police have introduced a technology-driven security plan for the 148th Jagannath Rath Yatra, scheduled for June 27. The strategy includes artificial intelligence, drone surveillance, facial recognition systems, and advanced CCTV monitoring, forming one of the most extensive law enforcement deployments for the annual religious procession.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Ajit Rajian, detailed the measures being taken under the supervision of the Crime Branch, which is leading the security operations. He confirmed the department&rsquo;s role in managing the entire event, from the start of the chariot journey to its return, along with proactive policing in the days leading up to it.
In recent operations, police arrested several known offenders and confiscated weapons. According to Rajian, &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve acted decisively over the past few days to prevent disruptions during the Yatra. Our teams have arrested wanted individuals and recovered illegal arms to maintain peace.&rdquo;
A significant addition to this year&rsquo;s arrangements is the collaboration with youth-led startups specialising in artificial intelligence. These firms are assisting the police with systems designed to manage crowds and prevent stampedes. Demonstrations of the technology have been conducted, and supporting visuals will be shared with both media and the public.
AI tools integrated with live video analysis will identify congestion points and monitor vehicular and pedestrian movement. Systems like headcount and number plate recognition will assess the density and flow in real time. CCTV units, positioned at heights optimised for drone coordination, will assist in calculating footfall in key areas.&nbsp;
&ldquo;AI analytics will give us precise insight into crowd movement and help us address potential issues as they arise,&rdquo; Rajian explained.
The aerial component of the security plan involves the deployment of 75 drones&mdash;45 operated directly by the Crime Branch and over 30 sourced from private entities. These drones are equipped with GPS tracking and are restricted to designated altitude and range limits. Additionally, anti-drone technology will be installed at five key points&mdash;Jagannath Temple, Saraspur, Prem Darwaza, Tambu Chowki, and Delhi Darwaza&mdash;to prevent unauthorised drone flights.
The traditional procession will also include 101 ornamented trucks, consistent with past years.
Facial recognition-enabled CCTV cameras will be installed at two high-density locations&mdash;outside the Jagannath Temple&rsquo;s main gate in Jamalpur and in Saraspur. These cameras will interface with PINAC, the Gujarat Police&rsquo;s central database for identifying offenders.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The system will instantly compare faces captured on camera with entries in the PINAC database. If a match is found, an alert with the suspect&rsquo;s location, timestamp, and last seen movement is sent to the control room,&rdquo; a senior crime branch official explained. Based on the individual's criminal background, officers will be directed to take appropriate action.
PINAC, previously used during large-scale public gatherings, has improved response efficiency through its integration with facial recognition software. An official from the technical unit stated, &ldquo;This technology allows us to act faster and with more accuracy. We no longer rely solely on manual checks.&rdquo;
To further reinforce law and order, over 20,000 personnel, anti-terror units, and drone monitoring teams will be stationed across the city. CCTV monitoring is not only focused on surveillance but also plays a key role in crowd regulation and emergency handling.
Preventive policing efforts have already resulted in arrests and seizures. In the last two days, 10 fugitives have been apprehended. Three Arms Act cases were registered, illegal firearms were seized, and prohibition offences were recorded.&nbsp;
One individual previously banned from entering the city was detained, and two others were booked under the Gujarat Police Act. Additionally, nine cases related to rented properties were addressed, five vehicles impounded, and four foreign nationals held for visa violations.
In the lead-up to the festival, more than 15 firearms and live cartridges have been recovered from multiple city zones. In the last month alone, the Crime Branch and Special Operations Group (SOG) confiscated 10 weapons. Three more firearms were found over the last three days during targeted search operations.
One case in Danilimda involved a man intercepted with a country-made pistol marked &ldquo;Made in Japan.&rdquo; He admitted to purchasing the weapon for Rs 25,000 from a source in Uttar Pradesh. In Vatva, police seized a pistol and four cartridges from a suspect acting on a tip-off. Another man was caught with a weapon near the riverfront.
A separate search in Dariyapur led to the detention of four individuals&mdash;three men and a woman&mdash;carrying a pistol and several mobile phones. Background checks revealed prior criminal records, including offences under robbery and prohibition laws. Relevant Arms Act charges have been filed and investigations are underway to trace the origin of the weapons.
In another incident tied to Rath Yatra surveillance, Naroda Police apprehended three men involved in a Rs 24.01 lakh theft from an angadia firm employee. The suspects&mdash;Bhaveshbhai Mehriya from Odhav, Vishnuji alias Dholo Rathod from Gandhinagar, and Ashok alias Vishal alias Khodo Chavda from Mehsana&mdash;were caught near Nana Chiloda while dividing the stolen cash.&nbsp;
Police recovered Rs 19.74 lakh in Rs 500 notes, Rs 4.26 lakh in smaller denominations, and three mobile phones worth Rs 17,000. During questioning, they admitted to targeting an employee travelling from Bareilly to Delhi on June 17. A fourth suspect, Rohan Parmar, remains absconding. Authorities have filed charges under relevant IPC sections and are working with Uttar Pradesh Police for further proceedings.
The swift arrest of the suspects and seizure of stolen assets has reinforced confidence in the city&rsquo;s pre-Yatra vigilance efforts.
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(Left) DCP Crime Ajit Rajian and Rath Yatra (Right)

Gujarat Police deploy facial recognition, CCTV, and anti-drone tech for Rath Yatra security.

AI, Drones to Guard Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad

Gujarat Police deploy facial recognition, CCTV, and anti-drone tech for Rath Yatra security.

June 21, 2025 | 23:30 IST