Historic AI-Powered Headcount to be Conducted at Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), December 10: The Maha Kumbh 2025 in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj is set to be a landmark event as the state government plans to conduct the world’s largest AI-powered headcount. With an estimated 40 to 45 crore devotees expected to gather for the holy dip at the ‘Triveni Sangam’—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers—the Uttar Pradesh government is utilizing cutting-edge technology to ensure accurate tracking of every attendee.
This AI-driven initiative aims to revolutionize event management by combining artificial intelligence with advanced monitoring systems to handle massive crowds and ensure precise data collection. In previous Kumbh events, crowd estimates were based on rough calculations, but the upcoming Maha Kumbh will introduce a highly accurate method for counting participants.
According to officials, AI-powered cameras and other advanced tools will be deployed to monitor the flow of devotees and provide an exact count. Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant shared that over 744 temporary CCTV cameras have been installed at 200 key locations in the fair area, alongside 1,107 permanent cameras across 268 points in the city. Furthermore, 720 cameras have been set up in over 100 vehicle parking zones to track the influx of pilgrims.
The AI system, which will operate from 3 AM to 7 PM during the bathing hours, is designed to provide real-time crowd density tracking with an accuracy rate of approximately 95%. An Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) in Prayagraj, along with viewing centers in Aral and Jhunsi, will act as operational hubs to monitor live data and issue instant alerts for crowd management.
Pant explained that the AI system will update data every minute, focusing on the ghats where devotees gather. These methods were successfully tested during the Magh Mela, achieving 95% accuracy in crowd estimates. A key element in the process is the “turnaround cycle,” which tracks the average time a pilgrim spends at the ghats to prevent duplicate counts from re-entering visitors.
AI algorithms will also work alongside advanced sampling techniques, like Cochran’s formula, to estimate crowd sizes on both peak and non-peak days, ranging from 20 lakh to 10 crore people.
The headcount will be further refined through three main tracking methods:
- Attribute-Based Search: Using advanced cameras to identify people based on physical characteristics.
- RFID Wristbands: Devotees will receive wristbands with RFID technology, enabling their movement to be monitored as they enter and exit the fairgrounds.
- Mobile App Tracking: Pilgrims who consent will be tracked via a GPS-enabled mobile app, offering real-time location data.
Testing for these tracking methods is already underway. The Maha Kumbh 2025, which occurs once every 12 years, is set to begin on January 13 and conclude on February 26, 2025. The key bathing dates, known as the “Shahi Snan” (royal baths), will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami).