AI surveillance deployed for crowd management at Kankaria Carnival in Ahmedabad

The Ahmedabad Police have deployed Artificial Intelligence (AI)–based surveillance systems for crowd management at the Kankaria Carnival, extending a technology pilot that was earlier tested during the city’s Rath Yatra. Officials say the move is aimed at strengthening preventive policing and improving public safety during large public gatherings.

With December 31 approaching, the system will also be used to identify intoxicated individuals in crowded areas and enable swift registration of FIRs, senior officials said. The focus, they added, is on real-time intervention to prevent incidents rather than responding after an offence has taken place.

Real-time monitoring under Safe City Project

The deployment is part of the Safe City Project, under which Ahmedabad Police have installed high-resolution, sensor-based AI cameras at strategic locations across the city and upgraded their control rooms. Trained personnel monitor multiple screens simultaneously, while the system generates instant alerts if it detects suspicious movement or behaviour.

In a recent instance cited by officials, such an alert enabled police teams to reach Navrangpura in time and detain a habitual offender before a crime could be committed.

Facial recognition and vehicle tracking in crowds

According to officials, the AI surveillance system is capable of facial recognition within large crowds and can match live footage with pre-uploaded data related to criminals, suspects or vehicles. When a match is detected, the control room receives an immediate alert, prompting field teams to respond.

The technology can also track vehicles linked to crimes, including cases where number plates are missing, damaged or unclear, officials said.

Beyond crime: Traffic and civic issues flagged

Police said the system’s applications extend beyond crime prevention. The AI platform can flag traffic violations, congestion, waterlogging and other civic issues, allowing authorities to respond more quickly. The cameras are capable of capturing up to 1,000 images per second, which officials said ensures detailed monitoring even in densely crowded areas.

Part of a wider national and state rollout

Similar AI-based surveillance and vigilance systems are already operational in several major cities, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Lucknow. Within Gujarat, cities such as Surat and Vadodara have also begun implementing AI-driven surveillance and traffic management solutions.

The Gujarat government has rolled out an AI-based camera action plan starting in 2025, with full implementation targeted by 2030. Officials said the planned integration of data from the police, municipal corporations, RTOs and other departments is expected to significantly transform policing across the state, making it more proactive, data-driven and effective.