Ahmedabad Police to deploy 40 AI-powered drones for Jagannath Rathyatra surveillance

In a major technological upgrade to bolster security and manage the massive crowds expected during the annual Jagannath Rathyatra, Ahmedabad Police will deploy 40 AI-powered drones equipped with surveillance and public announcement systems.

This year’s security apparatus for the centuries-old religious procession will feature a mix of cutting-edge technology, including an anti-drone system, to ensure the safety of lakhs of devotees and smooth management of the event.

According to officials, out of the 40 drones being pressed into service, 38 will be Maverick drones, each with an average flight time of 45 minutes under favourable weather conditions. The technical team has arranged for backup batteries to ensure continuous coverage of the entire procession from its commencement at the Jagannath temple in Jamalpur to its return.

The remaining two will be tethered drones connected to a ground-based power source via cables  allowing for uninterrupted surveillance. These will be stationed at key congestion-prone locations: one near the Jagannath temple gate and the other in Saraspur, where a large crowd turnout is anticipated.

In addition to aerial monitoring, the drones are equipped with public announcement systems to relay real-time information, advisories, and emergency messages to devotees along the route. The system will complement the city’s broader surveillance network, which includes AI-integrated CCTV cameras at nearly 40 locations.

Officials said the AI features will aid in crowd and vehicle counting, monitoring of traffic movement, and identifying any unusual activity, thereby enhancing real-time decision-making.

To counter the risk of unauthorised drone activity over sensitive areas such as the temple and key congregation zones, the city police will also deploy an anti-drone system capable of detecting, tracking and neutralising rogue drones.

Senior officers from the city police said the integration of artificial intelligence with surveillance infrastructure marks a significant advancement in crowd control and public safety strategies for large-scale religious events.

With thousands of personnel to be deployed on the ground and a bird’s eye view maintained from above, the city is gearing up to ensure a secure, peaceful and efficiently managed rathyatra.