**Mumbai Police Deploys Artificial Intelligence for Crowd Management During Ganeshotsav Visarjan at Girgaon Chowpatty**

Mumbai’s annual Ganeshotsav celebration is renowned for drawing massive crowds, with millions of devotees participating in visarjan processions across key immersion points such as Girgaon Chowpatty, Juhu, and Dadar. This year marked a significant milestone as the Mumbai Police, for the first time, utilized Artificial Intelligence (AI) extensively to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the city’s largest annual event during the Ganpati Visarjan at Girgaon Chowpatty on Anant Chaturdashi.

In a video statement shared on the official Mumbai Police X handle, Dr. Mohit Garg, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone 2 Mumbai, elaborated on the high-tech measures deployed. Under the guidance of Police Commissioner Shri Deven Bharti, the force established an AI Command and Control Center that integrated feeds from hundreds of CCTV cameras along with 16 drones. This comprehensive setup enabled accurate calculation of the number of devotees entering Chowpatty and detailed analysis of parking space utilization.

Dr. Garg emphasized the critical role of this technology in preventing stampede-like incidents. Real-time crowd behavior and density analytics allowed the police to monitor gatherings closely and respond promptly to potential risks. “The system helped us rationalize parking decisions and generate alerts that were immediately acted upon,” he noted.

In addition to crowd monitoring, AI was instrumental in enhancing security through anti-sabotage measures. The system kept a vigilant watch on Nirmala Kalash placements and issued real-time alerts when necessary. For the first time during the festival, RFID and GPS technologies were employed to track the movement of 745 Ganpati mandals across Mumbai, helping streamline traffic management.

This advanced surveillance and tracking also played a humanitarian role, enabling the police to trace and reunite 24 missing children with their families amidst the festive chaos.

Despite accommodating nearly 20 lakh visitors at Girgaon Chowpatty on Anant Chaturdashi, with peak crowds reaching 4 lakh people simultaneously, the police successfully managed the event without any major disruptions. Dr. Garg highlighted, “The AI system gave us insights into which parking areas were utilized or underutilized, allowing us to optimize the limited parking space inside Chowpatty. It greatly assisted in preventing stampedes by providing real-time crowd behavior and density analysis.”

He further confirmed that the AI system generated 51 real-time alerts during the event, all of which were swiftly addressed by on-ground officers, ensuring smooth operations throughout the celebrations.

This year’s Ganeshotsav marks a turning point where cutting-edge technology such as AI, drones, GPS, and RFID was seamlessly integrated with traditional policing methods. Mumbai Police’s innovative approach ensured that faith and festivity went hand-in-hand with safety and efficiency, setting a new standard for managing large-scale public events in the city.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-police-deploy-ai-for-the-first-time-at-girgaon-chowpatty-on-anant-chaturdashi-prevents-stampedes-reunites-24-missing-children-video