AI-based Crowd Monitoring, CCTV Surveillance for Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina
Reviewing preparations at the collectorate on Thursday, Visakhapatnam district collector M.N. Abhishikta Kishore directed officials to ensure coordinated arrangements for traffic management, security, drinking water, medical services, sanitation, electricity and transport. The 32-km circumambulation is expected to attract five to six lakh devotees.
Visakhapatnam: Artificial Intelligence-based crowd monitoring and CCTV surveillance will be deployed for the Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina on July 28 and 29, with district authorities putting in place extensive arrangements to manage the expected influx of devotees.
Reviewing preparations at the collectorate on Thursday, Visakhapatnam district collector M.N. Abhishikta Kishore directed officials to ensure coordinated arrangements for traffic management, security, drinking water, medical services, sanitation, electricity and transport. The 32-km circumambulation is expected to attract five to six lakh devotees.
The route has been divided into seven zones and 28 sections, with police and GVMC officials appointed as in-charges. Duties will be carried out in six shifts from July 27 until the morning of July 29. Zonal commissioners and deputy collector-rank officers will supervise each zone with support from a central command and control room and seven control centres at Tholipavancha, Adavivaram Junction, Hanumanthuwaka, Appughar, Madhavadhara, NSTL Gate and Gopalapatnam.
As many as 28 assistance centres will provide drinking water, while volunteers, medical personnel and security staff will be deployed along the route. Authorities will establish 31 medical camps, 595 temporary toilets and shower facilities at Appughar.
The AI-based crowd monitoring system will be integrated with 70 temporary CCTV cameras installed along the route, with live feeds linked to dashboards in all control rooms. RFID tags will be issued to children and elderly devotees to help trace them if they get separated. Parking facilities at 58 identified locations will be equipped with CCTV cameras, lighting and signboards.
Vehicle movement on the BRTS road will be restricted, and a public awareness campaign will be conducted on alternative traffic routes. Food stalls set up by donors will require official permission and must not obstruct the main roads. Authorities will also identify power supply points and locations for fire tenders in advance. Liquor shops will remain closed during the event.
The APSRTC will operate special bus services with dedicated terminals and temporary stops, while 50 temple buses will provide free transport on July 29. Replica temples will be set up at locations, including the New Toll Gate, to reduce congestion at Toli Pavancha.
Police commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi said traffic diversions, restrictions on heavy vehicles and alternative routes had been planned to ensure smooth movement. AI-enabled surveillance through temporary and existing CCTV cameras will assist police deployment, while dedicated emergency corridors will be maintained. Ninety expert swimmers will be stationed at Appughar and Jodugullapalem for the safety of devotees taking sea baths.
Joint collector G. Vidyadhari outlined traffic diversions for heavy vehicles arriving from Srikakulam and Vizianagaram, while GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg said “No Vehicle Zones” would be enforced from Hanumanthuwaka to Maddilapalem and along Beach Road during the event.
