Ahead of the Rath Yatra on June 27, which is expected to attract nearly 10 lakh attendees, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch is implementing AI-powered technology to prevent potential stampede incidents. This move comes after fatal stampedes in Prayagraj and Bengaluru highlighted the risks associated with uncontrolled crowds.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Ajit Rajian confirmed to Benefit News that the use of artificial intelligence-driven visual analytics is a core part of the city's crowd control strategy. &ldquo;This software, integrated with CCTV networks, allows law enforcement to continuously monitor crowd behaviour and movement through real-time video processing. The algorithms estimate crowd density, identify sudden shifts, and detect signs of distress like collapsed individuals or erratic motion,&rdquo; Rajian said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Once a threat is identified, the system sends instant notifications to our control rooms and frontline teams using GSM messaging and digital displays.&rdquo;
The surveillance system uses machine learning for object recognition, enabling it to count individuals and analyse behavioural anomalies. It also maps congestion-prone zones in advance, giving police the ability to adjust crowd flow or execute evacuation plans efficiently.
Despite the sophisticated nature of this system, Rajian noted that manual oversight remains a crucial element of risk mitigation. Referring to the stampede at the Kumbh Mela on January 29, he said that while technology played a role, immediate human action was vital.&nbsp;
In another incident on June 4, chaos broke out during the IPL 2025 victory celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. A gate at M Chinnaswamy Stadium collapsed under pressure from a massive crowd of approximately three lakh people.&nbsp;
Eleven individuals died and over 50 were injured during the event, which spanned a 2.5-kilometre route from the Karnataka Assembly to the stadium.
The anti-stampede system being deployed in Ahmedabad uses threshold-based alerts. These are triggered when crowd density exceeds safe limits determined by pre-programmed parameters. The software&rsquo;s capabilities also include analysing real-time movement patterns to catch early signs of panic or clustering.
While the technology enhances surveillance efficiency and reduces response time, it does present limitations. Obstructions in camera views, inconsistent lighting, outdated equipment, and data bias in machine learning models can compromise performance. Costs associated with installing and maintaining such systems are high, and integrating them with existing surveillance networks can be complex.
Moreover, the use of such surveillance tools raises ethical concerns regarding personal privacy and data usage. Determining acceptable crowd density levels also varies depending on cultural practices and location-specific factors, making universal application challenging.
Nonetheless, the city's Crime Branch sees these AI-enabled measures as a vital part of ensuring the safety of the massive crowd expected during the Rath Yatra.
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Ahmedabad Police adopt smart analytics to spot risks and manage massive gatherings safely.

Anti-Stampede Tech Rolled Out by Crime Branch

Ahmedabad Police adopt smart analytics to spot risks and manage massive gatherings safely.

June 10, 2025 | 19:32 IST