AI cameras do little to help in crowd management
BHUBANESWAR: Even advanced technology and huge deployment of police force failed to streamline the huge crowd gathered to witness the annual Rath Yatra in Puri on Friday, leading to chaos and crowding of the inner cordons
Odisha Police had installed at least 275 artificial intelligence (AI) based CCTV cameras to monitor crowd movement, regulate traffic and keep a vigil on anti-socials.
However, the advanced CCTV cameras did not turn out to be as handy as expected to ensure smooth crowd management. Sources said the unregulated crowd was one of the primary reasons behind the delay in the pulling of the chariots of the holy Trinity on the Grand Road on the day.
While an integrated control room was set up in Town police station, the senior officers were also able to access the feed of the CCTV cameras and the drones at Singhadawar police station. Besides, one control room each was set up at Kumbharpada and Government Railway Police stations in Puri.
Despite being equipped with advanced technology and strong deployment of about 10,000 police personnel, effective management of the crowd could not be ensured. Similarly, many devotees lost their valuables like gold ornaments and mobile phones during the heavy rush near the chariots.
Though Odisha Police had created an online service to provide help with road guidance and parking, devotees also had a harrowing time to find suitable parking places after taking assistance from the WhatsApp chat bot launched by Odisha Police.
'Though the WhatApp chatbot indicated Jagannath Ballav parking, it was marked for only VIPs and I had to drive around in the huge incoming crowd to find a place at a hotel,' said a devotee who possessed a car-pass.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
31 minutes ago
- News18
Puri Rath Yatra Tragedy: Stampede Kills 3, Sparks Outrage Crowd Mismanagement Odisha News
A tragic turn of events unfolded during the sacred Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, where a deadly stampede near the Gundicha Temple claimed the lives of three devotees — two women and a 70-year-old man from Khurda district. The chaos erupted at around 4:30 AM as overwhelming crowds surged uncontrollably during the darshan procession of the deity's chariot. Ten others were critically injured in the media and eyewitnesses blamed poor crowd management by police and civic authorities, despite elaborate preparations claimed by the administration. The Puri Collector acknowledged that the crowd 'exceeded control,' triggering further criticism. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik expressed grief but faced questions over lapses in planning. Mobile App -
News18
an hour ago
- News18
'No One Responded': Odisha Man Slams Authorities After Losing His Wife In Rath Yatra Stampede
Last Updated: At least three devotees died, and over 50 were injured after a stampede broke out near Shri Gundicha Temple during the annual Rath Yatra in Puri. Puri Stampede: After three devotees tragically died in a stampede near Shri Gundicha Temple during the annual Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri on Sunday, a man from Puri, who lost his wife in the incident, said no one came to his help, describing the situation as 'pathetic". A stampede broke out in front of the chariot of Lord Jagannath, Nandighosh, when it reached the Gundicha Temple in the early hours of Sunday. At least three devotees died and over 50 were injured. A huge crowd of devotees gathered to have darshan of the deity, which led to the collapse of the crowd barriers. As a result, several devotees fell over each other near the wheels of the chariot. The deceased have been identified as Basanti Sahu from Bolagarh of Khorda district, Premakanti Mohanty, and Prabhati Das from Athantara village under Balianta block. A man who lost his wife in the incident said that not a single authority responded to the escalating situation in Puri. 'When this incident happened, no one responded, neither the fire officials, nor the rescue team, nor the hospital team. This is a pathetic incident that cannot be expressed in words," he told reporters. Puri, Odisha: A man who lost his wife in the stampede says, 'When this incident happened, no one responded, neither the fire officials, nor the rescue team, nor the hospital team. This is a pathetic incident that cannot be expressed…" — ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2025 Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi on Sunday sought forgiveness from devotees of Lord Jagannath after the incident and pledged strict action against those responsible for the lapses in crowd control and security arrangements. The Chief Minister has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh each to the next of kin of the devotees who lost their lives in the tragic incident. Meanwhile, the Puri District Collector and Superintendent of Police (SP) have been transferred in the aftermath of the stampede. In addition, disciplinary action has been taken against other officials for alleged dereliction of duty. DCP Bishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi have been suspended following preliminary findings of negligence in managing the crowd and ensuring safety. First Published: June 29, 2025, 15:07 IST
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Carry out prompt, comprehensive inquiry into stampede: Puri's titular king to Odisha Govt
Puri's titular king Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingha Deb on Sunday (June 29, 2025) expressed shock over the stampede during the famed Rath Yatra and appealed to the Odisha Government to immediately carry out a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. The titular king, who is also the chairman of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC), urged the State Government to take proper and immediate steps to prevent the recurrence of any such incident. 'Shree Gajapati Maharaja has appealed to the State Government to carry out a prompt and comprehensive inquiry regarding this most unfortunate incident and to take proper and immediate steps to prevent the recurrence of such incidents,' his office said in a statement. Mr. Deb said he was 'shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the stampede last night near Shree Gundicha Temple in which three devotees lost their lives and many others were injured'.
