MUMBAI: For the first time, Mumbai Police will use AI technology during Ganpati Visarjan to manage crowds and monitor processions. An AI-based control room has been set up at the police commissioner’s office to track real-time movement of prominent Ganpati idols using QR codes, and to detect crowd sizes, route changes or potential disruptions. Drones will assist in surveillance, while 10,000 CCTV cameras and additional cameras on procession routes will enhance monitoring.“Around 25,000 police personnel will fan out on city streets for bandobast on the last day of the Ganpati festival on Saturday, besides using electronic surveillance. Drones will be used for lighting as well as making public announcements, besides aerial monitoring of crowds,” said joint commissioner, law and order, Satya Narayan.“Vehicles carrying Ganpati idols of prominent mandals, such as the Lalbaugcha Raja, have been affixed with a QR code which will be used for monitoring the movement of the procession real-time. Through AI, police will get information on the current location of the procession, the number of people in the crowd, the route taken and whether there is an unscheduled halt, which could indicate a problem,” explained an official.A bandobast SOP has been put in place which includes keeping tabs on history sheeters and taking preventive action. If any “criminal elements” are spotted moving around on the streets during the immersion, an alert will go off at the control room. “Around 6500 Sarvajanik Ganpati idols and 1.75 lakh household Ganpatis will be immersed on Saturday at 65 natural water bodies and 205 artificial ponds created for the purpose. The 10,000 strong surveillance camera network in the city will be used to monitor crowds,” said Satya Narayan. Coastal Road will be open for motorists on Saturday.There will be particularly heavy police deployment at popular immersion spots like Girgaon Chowpatty, Dadar, Juhu, Versova and Powai and for prominent mandals. For women’s safety, Nirbhaya Squads will patrol the streets, besides policewomen dressed in plainclothes. Beat marshalls and mobile patrolling vans from every police station will also be out to ensure the immersion process goes on smoothly.The police have prohibited photography of idols washed ashore after visarjan and sharing of such images over social media. Use of drones without police permission is also disallowed. “We want to caution mandals to be careful while using 12 bridges that have been declared dangerous,” said joint commissioner, traffic, Anil Kumbhare. These include rail overbridges at Ghatkopar, Currey Road, Chinchpokli, Byculla, Marine Lines, Sandhurst Road, Mahalaxmi and Prabhadevi. “We have roped in 538 lifeguards at immersion points and also sought assistance from the Coast Guard to ensure there is no untoward incident at sea,” said Kumbhare.
