AI to Play Key Role in Puri’s Rath Yatra 2025 Preparations
The Puri district administration is gearing up to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its preparations for the upcoming Rath Yatra, with plans to utilize the technology for crowd control and traffic management during the globally celebrated festival.
In a crucial meeting held at the Circuit House in Puri, Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain led the second round of preparatory discussions for Akshaya Tritiya (April 30) and the Rath Yatra (June 27). The meeting brought together Puri SP Vinit Agrawal and other senior officials from various departments to review ongoing preparations and chalk out the way forward.
Collector Swain stressed the need to wrap up all groundwork by the end of May. The agenda covered several critical areas, including temple rituals, chariot construction, public health and sanitation, road infrastructure, water supply, and transportation services, both by road and rail.
A significant highlight of the meeting was the focus on leveraging technology for better crowd management. Puri SP Vinit Agrawal informed that while CCTV surveillance is currently in place at the Jagannath Temple, some cameras are non-functional. He assured that repairs would be completed promptly. Officials also explored the potential of deploying AI-based systems to enhance monitoring capabilities and ensure better crowd flow during the festival, which attracts millions of devotees each year.
On the sanitation front, officials reported that nearly 60 percent of the city’s drains have already been cleaned. The Tata Power Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) has also been directed to expedite the underground cabling work along the Grand Road to avoid any disruptions during the festivities.
The administration reviewed progress made since the last meeting and discussed steps to accelerate pending tasks. It was also decided that a final preparatory meeting will be held on June 19, ahead of the Rath Yatra. The auspicious timing (thithi) for Akshaya Tritiya will be finalized during this session.
With AI and advanced surveillance systems set to play a pivotal role, this year’s Rath Yatra could mark a new chapter in the intersection of tradition and technology.
