Odisha Police to Use AI Surveillance and Drone Tech for Enhanced Security at Rath Yatra 2025

Bhubaneswar: With the annual Rath Yatra in Puri fast approaching, the Odisha Police have announced a robust, tech-enabled security plan for the grand religious event on June 27, 2025. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered CCTV cameras, drone surveillance, and a first-of-its-kind Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) will be central to crowd management and safety efforts this year.

Following a high-level preparatory meeting on Sunday, Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania shared key details of the security strategy. “This year, we are introducing AI-based systems to enhance real-time monitoring, detect overcrowding, and respond proactively to emerging situations,” he said.

Command Centre, AI Cameras to Aid Crowd and Traffic Monitoring

The ICCC, to be set up at the Town Police Station in Puri, will serve as the central hub for surveillance and coordination during the Yatra. AI-enabled CCTV cameras will be installed along critical routes — from Uttara Chhak to Puri town and on the Puri-Konark stretch — enabling smart alerts for crowd surges and traffic issues.

“AI technology will automatically flag congestion, allowing for quick police intervention. Traffic movement from Bhubaneswar to Puri will also be monitored using intelligent systems for better regulation,” the DGP explained.

Mobile App, Drone Surveillance, and Central Forces to Strengthen Preparedness

To assist pilgrims, the police will soon roll out a dedicated mobile application that will offer real-time updates on traffic flow, suggested routes, and available parking facilities.

In addition to ground surveillance, drones and anti-drone measures will be used to monitor the gathering from above. An AI-integrated control room is already operational in Puri to handle data from various sources and facilitate coordinated action.

The DGP noted that central agencies including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), as well as Coastal Security and Naval personnel, will be actively involved in the security setup. “Compared to earlier years, we’re deploying more forces and better technology to ensure an incident-free Rath Yatra,” he added.

High-Level Coordination for Seamless Execution

Sunday’s review was attended by a large number of senior officials, including Director (Intelligence) R. P. Koche, ADG (Modernization) Soumendra Kumar Priyadarshi, ADG (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar, and SP (Puri) Vinit Agrawal. Discussions focused on inter-departmental coordination, rapid response systems, and emergency protocols.