WITH around 400-450 visitors expected to attend the Maha Kumbh mela, from January 13 to February 26, the Uttar Pradesh government has made a huge technological push with its Digi Kumbh initiative.
The sprawling mela venue in Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj, now has a robust digital infrastructure, a web of surveillance systems powered by artificial intelligence, and an intricate network of tools designed to monitor, protect and serve, Indian Express reports.
Over 37,000 police personnel have been deployed supported by specialised cyber experts and intelligence squads to ensure that the 45-day mela passes off without any untoward incidents.
For the safety of the pilgrims, the Uttar Pradesh police has established ten advanced digital 'Khoya-Paya Kendras' (lost and found) centres at the mela venue.
For live updates on the lost and found persons and items, each centres is fitted with 55-inch LED screens connected to a public address system which will display the information on the people.
These centres will also provide essential information on ghat arrangements and routes related to Mahakumbh.
The state police had earlier launched an intensive checking campaign in the Mela area, particularly around Sangam, to intensify surveillance to look out for any suspicious individuals and activities.
All passes to individuals and organisations associated with the Mela are being issued digitally, Times of India reports.
In order to promote a paperless system, only online applications are being processed.
Vendors, agencies, individuals and companies have to register online and submitted the mandatory documents to obtain passes. Vehicle passes are also being issued online.
National and international media outlets also need to obtain digital passes to cover the event.
Visitors can access information through the Maha Kumbh website, a multilingual mobile app, an AI chatbot supporting 11 languages, and multilingual signboards in the Mela venue.
A collaboration has been established with Google to provide navigational tips and timely traffic alerts for those driving to the mela venue and looking for parking slots.
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