AI surveillance, multilingual chatbots & more: How Mahakumbh 2025 is going hi-tech

With the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 on the horizon, Prayagraj is preparing to welcome millions of devotees, but this time, it’s blending age-old traditions with the power of modern technology.

Dubbed the ‘Digital Mahakumbh’, the Prayagraj Mahakumbh is integrating advanced technologies like never before to enhance safety, streamline operations, and enrich the spiritual experience for over 40 crore devotees, who are expected to attend the mega event from January 13 to February 26.

Curious about how AI and technology will transform this year’s Mahakumbh into a digital marvel? Here’s a closer look.

Digital, colour-coded railway tickets

The Prayagraj Railway Division is set to roll out digital railway ticketing for Mahakumbh 2025.

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Amit Malviya, senior PRO of Prayagraj Railway Division, shared with ANI that employees from the commercial department will be assigned special duties at Prayagraj Junction, wearing distinctive green jackets with QR codes on the back. Devotees can simply scan these codes with their mobile phones to download the UTS app, allowing them to book tickets without standing in long queues.

This initiative is expected to not only make ticket booking more convenient for pilgrims but also streamline the entire process for the railway authorities.

Malviya also highlighted that railway staff wearing QR code jackets will be positioned at key spots within the station to assist devotees in booking tickets conveniently. In addition, the QR codes will offer access to other important services, improving the overall travel experience for attendees.

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Senior railway officials told PTI that colour-coded tickets will be issued to passengers travelling to Prayagraj during the Kumbh period. The colour codes will differ on the basis of the direction and place the passenger is coming from.

Also read: Mahakumbh 2025: Over 2,000 drones to light up the sky, depicting 'Samudra Manthan'

Smart cameras, drones and robotic buoys

Safety remains a top priority for the Maha Kumbh Mela, with over 50,000 security personnel supported by AI-driven tools and advanced technology to monitor the event.

At the heart of this initiative is the AI-powered Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), which will oversee the entire event with an extensive network of CCTV cameras, drones, and AI systems dedicated to water surveillance.

A senior official shared with PTI, that the real-time monitoring will allow for quick responses to emergencies, and send alerts about the crowd density and parking lot occupancy, making the overall coordination much smoother.

To improve navigation in the sprawling temporary city of MahaKumbh Nagar, the Mela Authority also has partnered with Google to integrate key landmarks such as ghats, toilets, food courts, pontoon bridges, and emergency services into Google Maps, marking the first use of such technology for an event of this scale, a government official told India Today.

Har Har Mahadev! 🙏

Next year’s Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj will be a Digital Kumbh like never before! With state-of-the-art technology, real-time assistance, and over 80,000 well-equipped accommodations, this Kumbh promises an unmatched experience.

What’s unique? The event… pic.twitter.com/w1B0fKanPd

— Rajeshwar Singh (@RajeshwarS73) November 28, 2024

A multilingual chatbot

The Mahakumbh Mela, held once every 12 years, attracts devotees and visitors from across the globe, each speaking different languages and dialects.

To ease communication, the state government has introduced the Bhasini App, which will allow officials stationed at the Mela to communicate with visitors in various languages.

This multilingual chatbot will support 11 languages, helping to address queries from pilgrims and ensuring a hassle-free experience for all attendees.

Also read: Authorities recreate mythology for Mahakumbh 2025, reunite 3 Ganga streams in Prayagraj

AI-powered lost and found

Gone are the days when it was said that once lost in Kumbh, you’re lost forever. Thanks to modern technology, staying connected is easier than ever.

For the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela, the Mela Authority and the police department have set up a state-of-the-art, AI-powered lost-and-found registration center, known as the 1920 Center.

This centre will help reunite lost pilgrims with their families and friends by offering digital registration for missing persons at various locations.

Sector Magistrate Gyan Prakash shared with NDTV, “This technology allows us to search in multiple ways, such as comparing how someone looked 10 years ago or matching their photo with images on social media.” He added, “A designated area with around 100 beds will be available for lost individuals, and if children are separated from their families, a toy centre will keep them entertained while they wait.”

Biometric attendance for Police

The Uttar Pradesh Police have introduced a fully biometric attendance system for personnel deployed at the Mahakumbh.

Moving away from traditional paper-based records, this digital attendance system will now track police personnel, saving time and ensuring accurate record-keeping, reports IANS.

All police officers assigned to Mahakumbh 2025 are undergoing training that covers soft skills, disaster management, and geographical awareness of the event site.

With around 50,000 police personnel set to ensure the safety of an estimated 40 crore devotees, this system will play a crucial role in managing the event efficiently.

By integrating these technological advancements, the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 aims to set a new standard for large-scale religious gatherings.

Rajesh Dwivedi, the Senior Superintendent of Police for Mahakumbh Nagar, told PTI, “We are using cutting-edge technologies to manage every aspect of the Kumbh this time. With these smart systems and enhanced capabilities, we are confident we can streamline operations and ensure that Mahakumbh 2025 remains safe, efficient, and organised.”

With input from agencies