Pune, 10th July 2026: In a first for the Ashadhi Wari, Pune Police have deployed an AI-powered hydraulic watch tower on a trial basis to strengthen crowd management and security during the annual pilgrimage. The high-tech surveillance system was used in the Vishrantwadi area on Thursday to monitor the movement of lakhs of devotees.
The hydraulic watch tower allows police personnel to monitor the entire area from a height of around 16 to 17 feet. From this elevated position, officers can assess crowd density in real time and immediately relay instructions to field personnel through the wireless communication network, enabling quicker responses to changing situations.
To enhance surveillance, Pune Police have installed 226 AI-linked cameras along the Palkhi route. The network includes 28 facial recognition cameras and 36 advanced video analytics cameras at 24 sensitive locations.
These cameras are connected to the police control system and criminal database, allowing authorities to identify known offenders, including pickpockets, chain snatchers, and repeat criminals, even in large crowds.
The AI system can also alert police if crowd levels exceed safe limits, helping authorities take timely action to prevent stampedes or other emergencies. Officials said similar technology is likely to be used for managing security and crowds during major festivals and public events in the city in the future.
Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil said the AI-enabled surveillance system helps police monitor crowds more effectively, identify wanted criminals through facial recognition, and take timely action whenever crowd density becomes unsafe.
He added that Pune Police plan to expand the use of such advanced technology during large public gatherings in the coming years.
