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Sabarimala to Deploy AI for Crowd Management as Pilgrimage Season Nears

Published on: 22 Jun 2026, 12:10 AM

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the body that manages the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to manage crowds during the upcoming annual pilgrimage season. The season is set to begin in the second week of November.

In a meeting held on Saturday, TDB officials and Kerala Police officers reviewed proposals from three AI firms based in Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai. The firms presented systems involving drones and predictive analytics to monitor and manage the flow of devotees.

Last year, the hill shrine in Pathanamthitta district recorded a footfall of 51 lakh (5.1 million) pilgrims. The AI systems aim to improve safety and reduce congestion by providing real-time data and predictive insights to authorities.

The expert committee, formed to evaluate the proposals, will submit its recommendations to the TDB. Officials stated that the adoption of such technology could mark a significant step in modernising crowd management at one of India's busiest pilgrimage sites.

Source: Indian Express

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