Latest news with #AshadhiWari
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Record-breaking Ashadhi Wari: AI-powered drones count over 27 lakh devotees
This year's Ashadhi Wari has officially set a new attendance record, with AI-powered drones deployed for the first time to estimate the number of pilgrims. According to Solapur rural police, the footfall on Ashadhi Ekadashi was between 27 and 28 lakh, captured through drone surveillance from 4 am to midnight on Sunday. The drones captured real-time footage which was then processed to generate an estimated headcount. (HT) To ensure accuracy, the police had divided a 65-acre area in Pandharpur into four sectors and deployed six AI-enabled drones to cover key zones, including bridges, ghat sections, the pradakshina path, and temple premises. The drones captured real-time footage which was then processed to generate an estimated headcount. 'At certain points, over 2,000 devotees were seen crossing the entry bridges per minute,' an official said. Additional data was compiled using vehicle counts from 13 parking zones, multiple bus stands, and over 100 special trains arriving in the temple town. Officials recorded over 50,000 vehicles and more than 6,000 buses during the peak period. All surveillance and coordination were managed through the integrated command and control centre set up by the Solapur Rural Police. By early Monday morning, 95% of vehicles and pilgrims had exited Pandharpur, bringing the town back to its regular rhythm. 'The return journey on Monday morning was our biggest challenge,' said Atul Kulkarni, superintendent of police (SP), Solapur rural. 'We identified six major exit routes and deployed one Deputy SP on each. This helped manage the traffic smoothly and avoid any major mishaps.' To further assist the flow, 100 GaMa commandos on motorcycles with public address systems were deployed along exit routes to guide pilgrims. Despite the massive crowd, police managed to keep the event largely incident-free. Nine police help centres were established to assist pilgrims, particularly those who were separated from their groups or families. 'We received over 2,700 missing person reports, and nearly all were reunited with their families. The remaining 50–60 are still being traced,' Kulkarni added. Disaster management teams and trained swimmers were deployed to guard the river areas, and no casualties were reported. A special 'Mauli Squad' kept watch for criminal activity among the crowd. Three police teams from Karnataka—Gulbarga, Bidar, and Bijapur—were also deployed to support the local effort. While 10 cases of chain snatching were reported, police detained 180 suspects linked to various offences. Authorities enforced a one-way movement system on the pradakshina path and other high-traffic zones, such as the 'desert' area, to prevent overcrowding. Notably, no stampede-like situations or accidents were reported this year. 'The strategic use of AI and drones helped us better monitor the crowd and avoid the usual hold-and-release system at Namdev Payari,' Kulkarni said. 'There were no reports of pushing or stampede-like pressure. It was the most efficiently managed wari we've seen so far.'
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Maharashtra govt announces ex-gratia aid for warkaris in case of mishaps during Pandharpur pilgrimage
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) announced that it will provide ex-gratia assistance of ₹4 lakh to the next of kin of warkaris (devotees of Lord Vitthal) in the event of accidental death during the annual Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. The announcement was made through a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Revenue and Forest Department under the 'Vitthal Rakhumai Warkari Yojana – 2025', aimed at extending financial relief to pilgrims undertaking the spiritually significant journey on foot or via private or public transport. Aid for disability and hospitalisation According to the GR, in case of injury or disability during the Wari, warkaris who suffer 40% to 60% of disability will be eligible for ₹74,000, while those with disability exceeding 60% will receive ₹2.5 lakh. The State will also provide medical assistance for hospitalisation — warkaris admitted for over one week will be eligible for ₹16,000, and those hospitalised for less than a week will receive ₹5,400. The scheme will be in effect for incidents occurring during the Wari period from June 16 to July 10, 2025, covering devotees journeying to Shri Kshetra Pandharpur, a prominent temple town in Solapur district, known for the veneration of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rakhumai. Application process and verification To claim the financial assistance, the concerned warkari or their heir must submit an application to the District Collector, along with a certificate issued by the Tehsildar confirming the individual's participation in Ashadhi Wari–2025. All Tehsildars have been directed to verify such claims and issue certificates accordingly, the GR said. The District Collectors have been authorised to verify applications and sanction the aid after reviewing the Tehsildar's certificate, along with death or medical documentation substantiating the mishap. Following the conclusion of the Wari on July 10, all district collectors are required to submit a comprehensive report detailing the assistance provided in their respective jurisdictions by July 30, 2025.
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Pune rly div cracks down on unsafe travel; announces Ashadhi special trains
Jun 28, 2025 08:08 AM IST Pune: In the wake of the tragic June 9 incident in Mumbai, where multiple passengers reportedly lost their lives while travelling on train footboards, the Pune division of Central Railway has launched a major crackdown on unsafe train travel. The division on Friday also announced additional Ashadhi special train services in line with the annual Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. Central Railway Pune division has launched major crackdown on unsafe train travel and announced additional Ashadhi special train services in line with annual Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. ((PIC FOR REPRESENTATION)) Between June 11 and June 25, railway authorities apprehended 105 passengers for violations under Section 156 of the Indian Railways Act, 1989, which prohibits travel on footboards, steps, roofs, or engines of moving trains. Reaffirming its 'unwavering commitment to passenger safety,' the Pune division issued a statement warning that similar enforcement drives will be conducted regularly. Moreover, Central Railway announced additional train services for the upcoming Ashadhi Wari in Pandharpur from July 1 to July 10. To handle the expected surge in pilgrims, three one-way Ashadi special trains will run between Pune–Miraj (Train No. 01413), Miraj–Nagpur (Train No. 01213) and Miraj–Latur (Train No. 01409). 'With these additions, Central Railway will operate a total of 83 Ashadi Special trains,' said Hemantkumar Behera, spokesperson for the Pune railway division.
Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
CM orders scrapping of proposed abattoir in Pune's Alandi area
Jun 22, 2025 06:40 AM IST Putting a stop to controversies, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the cancellation of the proposed slaughterhouse reservation in Moshi near the pilgrimage town of Alandi. Residents, farmers, and warkaris (devotees) have welcomed the decision. Fadnavis made the announcement during his visit to Pune on Ashadhi Wari — the annual pilgrimage of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj's palkhi processions. (HT FILE) The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) in its revised development plan had proposed a slaughterhouse on a four-acre plot in Moshi. Residents, warkaris and several religious organisations objected to the plan as the site is 4km from the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Temple in Alandi. Fadnavis made the announcement during his visit to Pune on Ashadhi Wari — the annual pilgrimage of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj's palkhi processions. After offering prayers and interacting with warkaris, the chief minister assured that no compromise will be made when it comes to the faith of devotees, especially in a spiritual and culturally significant region like Alandi. Two days prior to the announcement, Fadnavis had received formal representations from villagers, farmers, and BJP MLA Mahesh Landge during the inauguration of various development works in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Landge urged Fadnavis and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh to cancel the proposed reservation. 'The reservation for a slaughterhouse in such a holy area had triggered outrage among all sections of society,' said Landge. Fadnavis said, 'I have already given orders to drop the proposed slaughter house in this area from the plan.' The chief minister also reiterated the government's commitment to ban on cow slaughter.
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Palkhi: Pune Zilla Parishad's special mobile app for toilets
The Pune Zilla Parishad has come up with a mobile app called 'toilet seva' to ensure that the lakhs of devotees participating in the Ashadhi Wari during the Palkhi procession get access to clean civic amenities. It was conceived by Pune Zilla Parishad CEO Gajanan Patil. Mobile toilets have been provided at various places along the Wari route. There are nearly 1,800 toilets along the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi route, while the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi route includes around 1,200 toilets. There are 300 toilets along the Sant Sopan Maharaj Palkhi route. A special mobile app has been created for the management of these toilets, and services are available through the app, Chandrakant Waghmare, additional CEO, Pune Zilla Parishad, told The Indian Express. According to Amol Bhinge, founder, ToiletSeva, the app will include information about the toilets, electricity, road and sanitation at the location and a facility for people to register their feedback. QR code scanners have been installed on each toilet.
