AI-Based System to Manage Crowds During Vaikunta Dwara Darshan at Tirumala

 Tirupati: An artificial intelligence–based system will be deployed to monitor queue lines, assess crowd density and estimate waiting time during the Vaikunta Dwara Darshan at Tirumala, aimed at ensuring smoother movement of pilgrims and better crowd management.

Endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said the AI technology would help authorities regulate darshan queues more efficiently during the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshan to be held from December 30 to January 8. He said the initiative was part of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) plan to improve the overall darshan experience for devotees.

The minister reviewed the arrangements at Annamayya Bhavan in Tirumala on Monday along with ministers A. Satya Prasad and V. Anitha, who are also the members of the government-appointed ministerial sub-committee and senior officials of the TTD, the district administration and the police.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ramanarayana Reddy said priority would be given to common devotees during the Vaikunta Dwara Darshan. Out of the total 182 hours of darshan time over the 10 days, 164 hours (nearly 90 per cent) would be reserved for sarva (free) darshan. The arrangements were being made in line with the directions of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, he added.

“For the first three days, devotees from 27 states registered through the electronic dip (e-dip) system, with 23.64 lakh registrations received. Of these, 1.89 lakh common devotees were allotted darshan tokens through the e-sip process”, he said.

The Endowments minister advised devotees who received e-dip tokens to reach Tirumala strictly at the allotted date and time. Clear information had been communicated to devotees on their darshan schedule, he said.

Devotees without tokens would be allowed sarva darshan through the queue lines from January 2 to January 8.

He said adequate arrangements were being made to provide annaprasadam, drinking water and other essential facilities to pilgrims. The AI-based monitoring system would continuously track the number of devotees in queues and estimate waiting time, allowing officials to take timely decisions to ease congestion.

He added that strong security arrangements were being put in place through coordination between the police and the TTD vigilance and security staff.

The minister urged devotees to cooperate, follow instructions and have darshan in an orderly manner. He also instructed officials and staff to render services with dedication to ensure a satisfactory experience for all pilgrims.

TTD chairman B.R. Naidu, EO Anil Kumar Singhal, endowments secretary Hari Jawaharlal, additional EO Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, district collector Dr S. Venkateswar, CV&SO K.V. Murali Krishna, SP L. Subba Rayudu and other officials were present.

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