Ahead of Ganeshotsav, BMC approves AI crowd monitoring at key Mumbai tourist sites
Real-time crowd analytics will allow the BMC to optimise security, sanitation, drinking water supply, and traffic management through dedicated war rooms.
Specialised AI-enabled CCTV cameras will be installed at five major pilot locations, including the Gateway of India (File photo). Ahead of the upcoming Ganeshotsav, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved a pilot project to deploy an artificial intelligence-based crowd-monitoring system at key tourist and religious locations across Mumbai, including the Gateway of India, Siddhivinayak Temple, Juhu Beach, Dadar Beach and Girgaon.
The AI-powered tourist footfall monitoring system will track and analyse the massive influx of floating populations and festive crowds in real time. Unlike Mumbai’s existing 10,000 standard surveillance cameras, this system will actively map crowd counts, movement patterns, and timing.
Officials said detailed reports will be prepared to determine the project’s costs and logistics, and tenders will be issued after the cost estimate is completed.
“The absence of real-time crowd data often creates challenges in sanitation, drinking water supply, traffic management, public amenities, and security. Therefore, a pilot project will be launched in at least five major tourist or religious destinations using AI-powered CCTV technology to monitor visitor footfall in real time,” said BJP councillor Tejinder Singh Tiwana, who proposed the project.
“Real-time crowd analytics will improve public safety, optimise civic services, strengthen traffic management, and support Mumbai’s Smart City planning,” added Tiwana.
Speaking to The Indian Express, a civic official said the BMC’s disaster management department currently monitors CCTV cameras. If this system is implemented, localised war rooms could be established.
Officials hope that the project will facilitate efficient traffic management, improve crowd control through police deployment, and enhance safety measures for citizens visiting these locations during peak season.
Digital street museums
A second AI initiative approved is the citywide ‘digital street museums’ via QR codes to educate citizens and tourists on the local history and the prominent personalities behind Mumbai’s street names.
The BMC will install QR codes onto the blue nameboards across the city’s streets and junctions. Scanning the codes will redirect users to an interactive dashboard featuring short animations and videos.
Under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act, approximately 19,000 roads are named after historic freedom fighters, scholars, poets, and social workers. Tiwana said that these QR codes will also provide the local history of a particular area in Mumbai.
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