Sabarimala to get AI-powered crowd management system
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The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has decided to introduce an Artificial Intelligence-based pilgrim management system at the Sabarimala Temple during the upcoming pilgrimage season beginning in mid-November.
The board recently conducted a workshop in Kochi where representatives of three AI companies from Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai demonstrated technologies designed to improve crowd management and pilgrim safety, The New Indian Express reported.
TDB president K Jayakumar said discussions were underway on deploying AI-enabled cameras and drones to monitor crowd movement. The system would provide real-time information and predictive analysis on pilgrim flow at key locations, including Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilakkal.
According to him, the AI platform would analyse crowd density and alert police officials, helping them regulate movement, prevent congestion and reduce crowd pressure.
The technology is also expected to assist in locating children and elderly pilgrims who become separated from their groups during the heavy rush. It would help manage parking issues at Nilakkal and Pampa, monitor waste accumulation and support the protection of drinking water sources.
DGP and Vigilance director Manoj Abraham, who attended the workshop, said the predictive data generated by the system would help police personnel deployed along the trekking routes make better decisions for crowd control.
The TDB has prepared a vision plan focusing on pilgrim safety, sanitation and efficient services during the season, which has received approval from the Kerala High Court. The board said the plan aims to modernise pilgrimage management with greater transparency and accountability.
As part of the initiative, tender documents for hotels and shops at Sabarimala will include strict waste management provisions, supporting the goal of a “Clean Sabarimala - Green Sabarimala” campaign.
Jayakumar noted that around 75% of Sabarimala pilgrims come from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while devotees from Kerala account for only around 15–20%. The board plans to launch awareness campaigns in these states about pilgrimage guidelines and precautions.
The TDB will also use social media platforms to encourage devotees to book slots through the virtual queue system before beginning their pilgrimage. A multilingual newsletter titled ‘Sabarimala Sandesh’ will also be released to provide information and guidance to pilgrims.