India’s First AI Command Centre to Manage Tirumala Pilgrim Rush

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) is bracing to check the heavy pilgrim rush to the temple using Artificial Intelligence (AI). For the first time in the country, with donations from NRIs, an Integrated Command Control Centre has been established at the Vaikuntham-1 Complex. The ICCC would help in taking up measures to regulate the heavy rush, accommodation facilities and security in the pilgrim town. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu would inaugruate the ICCC on September 25, according to TTD Additional EO Venkaiah Chowdary.

A huge digital screen at the ICCC will display the CCTV footage of all the departments, and the feed would be monitored by more than 25 technical experts. They would later interpret the ground condition to the officials. In addition to the existing cameras, more cameras would be fitted at Alipiri to help AI take stock of the pilgrim rush, from the starting point itself. AI will also keep track of the number of pilgrims in the queue lines, the waiting time and the time being taken to complete Sarva Darshanam.

The AI-powered cameras will have face recognition feature and help in identifying the culprits behind thefts and other untoward incidents. They will also help in tracking the missing people. The AI will also identify the type of problem being faced by the pilgrims basing on their facial movements and non-verbal signals. The AI technical support will help generate 3D maps to show the ground-level condition of queue lines, accommodation facilities and others through images. Apart from showing the crowded areas in red, it will also suggest remedial measures for the same.

It will also monitor the online content of the TTD website, send alerts about indecent or other content that could bring disrepute to the TTD, prevent cyberattacks. Integration with AI will help the technical software to make the Srivari Darshan seamless, identifying the devotees’ problems constantly.

It will also indicate the emergency exit for the devotees, in case of any emergency in the queue line. Additional EO Venkaiah Chowdary said that during minister Lokesh’s US tour in last October, several NRIs discussed integrated command system with him. In February this year, they made a presentation about the same in Tirumala. The NRIs agreed to develop the centre exclusively with donations. They entered into a pact with the TTD higher authorities regarding the ICCC.