The Ahmedabad Police have deployed Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based surveillance systems for crowd management at the Kankaria Carnival, expanding a technology pilot earlier tested during the city’s Rath Yatra. Officials said the initiative is aimed at strengthening preventive policing and enhancing public safety during large public gatherings.
With December 31 approaching, the AI system will also be used to identify intoxicated individuals in crowded areas and facilitate the swift registration of FIRs, senior officials said. The emphasis, they added, is on real-time intervention to prevent incidents rather than responding after an offence occurs.
Real-time monitoring under Safe City Project
The deployment is part of the Safe City Project, under which high-resolution, sensor-based AI cameras have been installed at strategic locations across Ahmedabad, alongside upgraded control rooms. Trained personnel monitor multiple screens simultaneously, while the system generates instant alerts upon detecting suspicious movement or behaviour.
In a recent instance cited by officials, such an alert enabled police teams to reach Navrangpura in time and detain a habitual offender before a crime could be committed.
Facial recognition and vehicle tracking
Officials said the AI surveillance system is capable of facial recognition within large crowds and can match live footage with pre-uploaded data of criminals, suspects and vehicles. When a match is detected, the control room receives an immediate alert, prompting field teams to respond.
The technology can also track vehicles linked to crimes, even when number plates are missing, damaged or unclear.
Beyond crime prevention
The system’s applications extend beyond policing. It can flag traffic violations, congestion, waterlogging and other civic issues, enabling quicker response by authorities. The cameras can capture up to 1,000 images per second, ensuring detailed monitoring even in densely populated areas.
Part of a wider rollout
AI-based surveillance and vigilance systems are already operational in several major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Lucknow. Within Gujarat, Surat and Vadodara have also begun implementing AI-driven surveillance and traffic management solutions.
The Gujarat government has rolled out an AI-based camera action plan starting in 2025, with full implementation targeted by 2030. Officials said the planned integration of data from police, municipal corporations, RTOs and other departments is expected to transform policing across the state, making it more proactive, data-driven and effective.