Prayagraj: In his last episode of Mann ki Baat this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, praised the integration of technology, including an AI chatbot and digital navigation, with the Mahakumbh coming up in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
The PM’s praise was a boost to the Yogi Adityanath-led government, which, officials say, is spending a whopping Rs 7,000 crore on the first ‘digital’ Mahakumbh. Technology will prominently feature in the mela’s various segments, from land allotment for akharas to crowd management, navigation and luxury tents.
After the Mann ki Baat, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s social media handles ran advertisements for the Sah’AI’yak chatbot launched by Modi in Prayagraj on 13 December. According to officials, the AI-based tool would offer visitors real-time updates, guidance and personalised assistance in multiple languages.
Speaking to ThePrint, mela in-charge Vijay Kiran Anand said, “The Sah’AI’yak chatbot can be accessed through the official Maha Kumbh 2025 mobile app or via WhatsApp, making it convenient for both tech-savvy users and those less familiar with the technology. Supporting more than 10 languages, including English and Hindi, the chatbot offers a user-friendly interface with clickable options, voice commands, and media-enriched content.”
Use of tethered drones and robotic buoys
Tethered drones and robotic buoys will also be used at the Mahakumbh. The UP government has deployed an AI-powered crowd management system for real-time monitoring via drones and CCTV cameras, which connect to an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) on the mela premises. The system will allow authorities to anticipate and address crowding issues.
Speaking to ThePrint, Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi said, “2,700 cameras have been installed on the mela campus spanning nearly 4,000 hectares. There are four spots where feeds from these cameras will be shown to monitor activities. We are also using tethered drones with an eight- to nine-hour capacity to shoot, nearly double that of normal drones.”
“Robotic buoys are being deployed for river monitoring, while fire curtains and fire gels would ensure rapid response to emergencies. With over 50,000 security personnel on duty supported by AI-driven tools and drones, the entire mela area has been transformed into a digitally monitored fortress,” he added.
He explained that the robotic buoy is a floating device in water. It will be similar to the size of a small boat. It weighs roughly 12 kg and is controlled from approximately 500 metres without entering the water. “If any devotee drowns in Sangam during Kumbh, the robotic buoy could help save that person,” he said.
The device would be remote-controlled. “It will go to the drowning person and keep him stable above the water. Then, he will be taken out of the water safely in a boat,” he said.
Additionally, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) capabilities have been deployed in parking areas. “Over 100 parking zones, spread across 1,850 hectares and equipped with ANPR systems, will accommodate nearly 5.5 lakh vehicles,” Dwivedi said, speaking to ThePrint. The system will minimise congestion and offer a hassle-free experience to pilgrims arriving by road, he added.
Digital land allotments for the first time
One of the most significant applications of technology has been in the allotment of land to akharas and vendors. Earlier, the process was manual.
A senior official in the Kumbh Mela Authority said, “Applications for land allotment were accepted through an online portal from 29 October-12 November 2024, ensuring a fair process for new participants. Digitised suvidha parchis [for availing different facilities] have simplified approvals, installations and coordination between officials and vendors.”
The mela authority has used GIS-based mapping and high-resolution drone surveys to re-engineer the allocation system, he said, adding that there have been many past instances where vendors had issues over space.
“This technological intervention not only enhances efficiency but also ensures equitable distribution of resources, reflecting a commitment to transparency and use of technology,” he added.
Vivek Chaturvedi, the additional district magistrate of the Kumbh Mela Authority, told ThePrint, “We will use technology for hassle-free monitoring. Pilgrims can access key services, including water ATMs, sanitation facilities, and lost-and-found centres, via digital platforms.”
He added: “This [Mahakumbh] edition will become a testament to how tradition can evolve with technology.”
According to Chaturvedi, a record-breaking 40 crore devotees would attend Mahakumbh. “To manage the crowd, we would use AI-driven crowd density calculations for precise attendance figures. The system will generate immediate alerts, enabling officials to count and monitor devotees effectively throughout the event,” he said.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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