Pune, 5th September 2025: As Ganeshotsav fervor peaks and masses of devotees flock to popular pandals across Pune, managing the crowds has become a critical challenge. In response, Pune Police have deployed AI-powered surveillance and data analytics to strengthen crowd management efforts.
Operating from a temporary control room in Faraskhana, the system integrates more than 400 AI-enabled CCTV cameras linked to a database of nearly 30,000 known offenders. This system has generated 1,000 alerts for various crowd control scenarios and identified 30 individuals with criminal records over the past three days.
The AI-powered system, monitors criminals involved in chain snatching, pickpocketing, robberies, dacoities, thefts, eve-teasing, as well as those who are banned or declared fugitives, during the ongoing Ganapati festival.
The servers with AI analytics are linked to the cameras, which continuously monitor suspects and their movements. Over 400 AI-equipped CCTVs have been installed in the city's older areas and at Swargate.
In the last three days, crime branch officers have examined 30 criminals spotted in the crowd. The system has sent over 1,000 alerts to the police, informing them about unattended bags, crowded situations, or disputes among people or groups. The police are also keeping an eye out for abandoned objects and watching the crowd's behavior, including any group disputes.
“With this system, we are also monitoring the entrances of Metro stations such as Kasba, Mandai, Swargate, Deccan, and Bal Gandharva to prevent overcrowding,” Assistant Commissioner of Police (Communication & IT) Vivek Pawar said.
The system is tracking the number of devotees in specific locations. The footfall counting system assists the Police in reallocating security from one spot to another. The Police have begun utilizing internet protocol (IP) speakers in the city's older sections.
The control room staff are giving instructions to field personnel via the speakers in designated areas. This has facilitated the swift communication of orders to ground police officers for tasks such as redirecting traffic, controlling crowds, and apprehending individuals if necessary.