Railways to use AI for crowd control during Kumbh-Mela 2019
Apart from deploying 800 special trains for pilgrims, the Indian Railways is planning to use future-forward technology, including AI, for crowd management in next year's Kumbh Mela. Keeping in mind the stampede of 2013 at the religious festival that killed 42 people, the Railways has decided not to leave pilgrims' security to chance. Here are the details.
The Kumbh Mela is the world's largest religious gathering
The Kumbh Mela is the world's largest religious gathering and sees around 100 million people throng to Prayagraj, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati rivers meet.
The Railways will use IBM's AI tool for crowd management
For crowd management, the Railways, in a first, will use AI-powered IBM Intelligent Video Analytics to manage the throngs of people at next years Kumbh Mela, which will last from January 15 to March 4. Coupled with a large number of powerful CCTV cameras to be installed at railway stations and adjoining areas, the Railways is hoping for a incident-free Kumbh Mela.
How the Railways plans to monitor the crowds
"While IBM will provide video analytics service using artificial intelligence for crowd control, there will be large number powerful CCTV cameras to monitor the situation and LED screens for displaying information," said North Central Railway General Manager Rajeev Choudhury.
Over 5,000 security personnel will be deployed
For security and crowd management, over 5,000 Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel will be deployed to manage the crowds at 10 railway stations in and around the city of Prayagraj (earlier, Allahabad). The aim of the forces will be to decongest all possible places so that people pouring in can move towards the ghats and return safely.
Other steps to be taken by the Railways
Further, the Railways will also launch the Kumbh Rail Seva app for pilgrims, to disseminate important information for Kumbh Mela train users, and others travelling to the festival. In addition, social media will also be used extensively to keep pilgrims updated about events and other relevant information on a real-time basis.
