Face-detection CCTV cameras to identify criminals will be deployed at Jagannath Rathyatra

As part of heightened surveillance and security measures for the 148th annual Jagannath Rathyatra, the Ahmedabad City Police will install two live-streaming CCTV cameras equipped with advanced facial recognition technology. The move aims to monitor dense gatherings of devotees and identify individuals with criminal backgrounds in real time.

According to senior police officials, the cameras will be strategically installed at two high-footfall locations — near the main gate of the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur and at Saraspur, where the chariot procession witnesses peak crowd density during the day-long festival.

The facial recognition-enabled cameras will be integrated with PINAC (Program for Identification and Arrest of Criminals), Gujarat Police’s centralised criminal database software. The software stores extensive records of history-sheeters, absconders, and other wanted individuals across the state.

"The system will scan every face captured by the camera lens in real time and match it against the PINAC database. If any individual with a past criminal record is detected, an immediate alert will be sent to the city’s police control room and the crime branch," said a senior crime branch official. "The alert will contain the exact location, time, and last known movement of the suspect as picked up by the camera."

Police personnel stationed nearby will then be instructed to either detain the suspect or place them under discreet surveillance, depending on the nature of their criminal history.

This is not the first time Gujarat Police has made use of PINAC software in high-density public events. Over the past few years, the system has been deployed during large religious festivals, political rallies, and public protests, allowing law enforcement agencies to track individuals with past records and prevent potential threats.

Officials added that PINAC’s integration with facial recognition has significantly improved operational efficiency in urban policing. “It allows us to act swiftly and pre-emptively. With real-time alerts and precise data, we are no longer dependent on manual checks or delayed verifications,” an official from the technical surveillance unit noted.

With lakhs of devotees expected to participate in the rathyatra this year, the deployment of such surveillance systems forms a crucial part of the multi-layered security arrangement. Over 20,000 police personnel, anti-terror squads, and drone surveillance teams will also be part of the comprehensive bandobast plan.

Officials emphasised that the CCTV units are not just for security but also to ensure crowd management and timely intervention in case of any suspicious movement or emergency.

The Jagannath Rathyatra, one of the most significant religious processions in Gujarat, will be held on June 27 this year.

Built on three years of effort and collaboration

The facial recognition platform, known as Recognizer, has been under development for the past three years with dedicated input from the Ahmedabad Crime Branch.  

Recognizer is seamlessly integrated with PINAC, Ahmedabad Police’s criminal database platform. This integration empowers the system to conduct real-time facial analysis and alert authorised police personnel about suspects as they are detected. Police officers can access these alerts and facial recognition data securely via mobile phones, tablets, or computers.

“The combination of Recognizer and PINAC has transformed our surveillance capabilities,” said an official from the technical surveillance unit. “We can now proactively identify threats and prevent incidents before they escalate.”

During last year’s rathyatra, Recognizer will be successfully deployed and played a pivotal role in identifying and apprehending individuals with malicious intent, officials confirmed.