Hyderabad: Hyderabad City Police introduced AI crowd management for the first time during the Bonalu celebrations at the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad. The system aims to strengthen security and manage the growing number of devotees.
City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar visited the temple with his family on Sunday. He offered silk garments and Bonam to the Goddess. He also performed special prayers and inspected the security arrangements.
Addressing the media, Sajjanar said the Ashada Bonalu festival held great historical significance for Hyderabad. He said devotees celebrated the festival peacefully across the city. He added that the Bonalu festivals at Golconda and Balkampet had concluded peacefully. Meanwhile, the Ujjaini Mahankali and Lal Darwaza celebrations continued on a large scale.
AI crowd management strengthens Bonalu security
Sajjanar said nearly 2,500 police personnel were on duty for the Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu celebrations. He added that the new AI crowd management system uses facial recognition technology. It analyses images captured by CCTV cameras around the temple.
According to the Commissioner, the system can immediately identify known offenders, chain snatchers and pickpockets. It allows police to issue alerts and take prompt action.
He said police also use a queue management system to monitor devotees entering and leaving the temple. In addition, threshold mapping continuously tracks crowd density in different sections of the temple and queue lines. If the crowd crosses safe limits, police will take preventive measures to avoid stampedes.
Sajjanar said the police are coordinating with the Endowments Department, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and other government agencies. The coordination aims to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. He appealed to devotees to cooperate with the police and participate in the celebrations peacefully.