Kumbh 2027: Pilgrims will receive digital IDs, and an AI chatbot will answer questions…special preparations are underway.

The 2027 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar will witness a confluence of technologies. Visiting pilgrims will receive digital IDs, and a digital portal will also be created for lost and found items.

The ITDA has prepared a proposal worth ₹45 crore for a detailed plan for the Digital Kumbh. The Kumbh has been divided into six categories from a digital perspective. The first is for digital platforms and citizen services, under which an Integrated Command and Control Center will be established. A website and mobile app will be developed for Kumbh 2027.

There will also be digital land allocation for departments. An AI chatbot will be available to answer questions related to the Kumbh. A digital lost and found portal will be created, providing lost and found information. E-passes and digital IDs will be available for everyone. Cleaning, tent monitoring, and a help desk will be provided. There will also be digital land allocation for departments.

The second category, Planning and Geospatial Mapping, includes a Project Management Information System, an inventory tracking system, drone-based mapping of the 10-km buffer zone, traffic, sanitation, and a GIS layer for the ghats. CCTV and AI cameras will be geotagged, along with a digital twin platform, terrain planning, and utility mapping.

A proposal has been prepared for a Digital Kumbh. This will utilize state-of-the-art technology for everything from crowd management to devotees.

—Nitesh Jha, IT Secretary, Uttarakhand Government

₹45 crore sought from the Center

To adopt all digital transformations for the Kumbh, the ITDA has proposed a demand of ₹45 crore to the Center. This includes ₹5 crore for the digital platform and citizen services, ₹6.5 crore for planning and geospatial mapping, ₹8.5 crore for crowd management and safety, ₹15 crore for pilgrim welfare, and ₹5 crore for environmental monitoring and disaster mitigation. Advanced technology for security: Crowd management and security are the biggest challenges at the Kumbh Mela. To address this, a crowd monitoring system based on Bluetooth technology will be developed. Sensor-based monitoring of crowd density and geo-fencing of sensitive areas will be provided. A heatmap-based crowd flow dashboard will be created. Sensor-based smart parking, EV charging locators, and a security operation center will be established.

These three categories will also be important:

In the pilgrim convenience category, information kiosks will be installed. QR code signage will provide historical and scientific information. Visual displays will provide information about the royal bath and the Akharas. A digital Kumbh Experience Center will be established, along with robotics and a museum. Under the environmental monitoring category, sensors will be installed to monitor water quality at the Ganga Ghats. Toilets will have smart waste disposal. Public Wi-Fi zones will be created along with telecommunications infrastructure. Meanwhile, under the disaster mitigation category, hazard assessment and preparedness, health and sanitation preparedness, and flood and fire prevention will be addressed.