The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela, recognized as one of the largest religious gatherings globally, is being organized with advanced technological solutions to enhance safety and manage the crowd effectively. Anticipating an attendance of over 400 million individuals, the festival in Prayagraj serves as a platform for testing innovative strategies designed to mitigate the risks associated with such a vast assembly. A notable advancement this year is the implementation of facial recognition technology. In a recent incident, when Sarita Singh became separated from her son and mother-in-law, authorities utilized this technology to swiftly reunite them. By processing her son’s photograph through their system, police were able to locate him within hours, as surveillance cameras identified him near a tea shop with his grandmother. This development stands in stark contrast to the chaotic narratives often portrayed in older Bollywood films, where families would remain apart for extended periods during the festival. The 2025 event, referred to as the ‘Digital Maha Kumbh’ by the Indian government, covers an area of 4,000 hectares and is monitored by over 2,700 CCTV cameras.
These cameras, in conjunction with AI-driven software, are vital for real-time crowd management. Law enforcement officials are utilizing this software to assess crowd density and avert incidents such as stampedes, which have historically affected previous gatherings, including the 2013 Kumbh Mela. Amit Kumar, a senior police officer, emphasized the importance of AI in monitoring crowd dynamics and issuing early warnings regarding surges in specific locations. He stated, “The software informs us when crowd levels are increasing, enabling us to implement preventive measures.”Beyond AI capabilities, the system is also designed to notify authorities of fires, security breaches, or unauthorized access through barricades. These alerts are promptly communicated to personnel on the ground, ensuring rapid response to any incidents. More than 500 control center staff are continuously overseeing the situation, leveraging these advanced technologies.
Technology is being utilized to monitor and assist individuals who may become lost during events. Although facial recognition technology relies on capturing images through the festival’s cameras, it has significantly enhanced the ability of authorities to locate missing persons with increased speed and precision. Additionally, underwater drones are actively surveying the river’s depths to ensure safety during religious rituals, providing real-time notifications in the event of accidents or drownings. For visitors from various parts of India who may not be fluent in the local language, the Kumbh app features multilingual chatbots that offer assistance and navigation support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Prayagraj recently, emphasized the technological innovations being introduced. He remarked, “The era in which Maha Kumbh 2025 is being organised is far ahead in terms of technology,” expressing hope that this integration of data and technology will foster greater unity among people. Through these initiatives, the Indian government seeks to enhance the safety and efficiency of the experience for millions of devotees, demonstrating the potential of technology in managing large-scale religious gatherings.
