Drones and AI Guarding Divinity: Odisha Police Revolutionizes Rath Yatra Security

In a significant leap towards modernizing spiritual events, the Odisha Police has earned high praise for its innovative use of drones and artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure an impeccably secure and smooth Rath Yatra for Lord Jagannath. This groundbreaking integration of technology marks a new era in crowd management and safety for large-scale gatherings.

On Friday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accompanied by Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Odisha Higher Education Minister Surjyabanshi Suraj, and Puri MP Sambit Patra, visited the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in Puri. This state-of-the-art facility, established by the Odisha Police, serves as the nerve center for all security and surveillance operations during the Rath Yatra 2025.

Minister Pradhan took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend the initiative, stating, "To maintain order during the Rath Yatra in Puri and to control the crowd, I visited the Integrated Command and Control Centre established by Odisha Police. For the first time in the Rath Yatra, this arrangement by Odisha Police, utilising drones and other technology for monitoring, is highly useful and commendable." He further emphasized that this pioneering effort is a "shining example of how technology can be used to safeguard tradition," highlighting the commendable synergy of AI, drone surveillance, and real-time command capabilities.

The ministers specifically lauded the technology-driven solutions implemented by the Odisha Police, which were developed by IG Drones, an Odisha-based defense tech startup. This collaboration has brought cutting-edge aerial monitoring to the Rath Yatra for the very first time. Advanced drone surveillance technology is now deployed across key areas of Puri, providing real-time aerial insights into crowd movements, traffic flow, and potential emergencies, allowing for immediate response.

Beyond drone technology, the Odisha Police has fortified its security apparatus with 275 AI-powered CCTV cameras, enabling intelligent monitoring and analysis. To further assist pilgrims and ensure seamless communication, a real-time WhatsApp chatbot has been introduced for public assistance. All these technological advancements are seamlessly integrated within the Integrated Command and Control Centre, facilitating centralized coordination and data-driven decision-making for optimal security management..