Pune: The Pune city police will deploy around 7,000 personnel and use various AI-based tools and GPS during the palkhi processions in the city between July 9 and 11.A total of 350 CCTV cameras have been installed along the routes. These cameras are equipped with a Facial Recognition System (FRS) to identify criminals with existing police records. Similarly, police will use AI-based crowd management analytics, automatically sending alerts about the crowd’s situation to the control room. Police will also use advanced video analytics for route optimisation. The system will detect unattended objects, acts of violence, weapons, smoke and fire. Eight additional cameras have been installed to monitor vehicular movement at the city’s entry and exit points. Police will also deploy drones for aerial surveillance. A GPS tracker will monitor the live location of both palkhis to manage traffic in the city.“The palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj will arrive in the city on Thursday. Our QRTs will ensure the safety of the palkhis and the devotees accompanying them. We will take measures to prevent a stampede-like situation,” said Pune police chief Amitesh Kumar.Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad teams and dog squads will be deployed along the palkhi routes.Police have set up checkpoints on Pune-Nagar Road, Pune-Satara Road and other highways to urge warkaris heading to Alandi or Dehu to stay in Pune city or proceed towards Saswad. The move follows state govt’s appeal to warkaris to not head to Alandi or Dehu due to the flood-like situation in the areas.Traffic restrictions in placeTraffic on several roads in Pimpri Chinchwad will remain closed or diverted from Wednesday. Most roads in the central parts of Pune will remain closed to vehicular traffic on Thursday and will be reopened in phases as the palkhis move ahead.Pimpri Chinchwad police DCP (traffic) Vikrant Deshmukh said the entry of heavy vehicles has been restricted in Dehu and Alandi. “The entire palkhi procession route has also been declared a ‘No-Tolerance Zone’ for all types of vehicles. We appeal to commuters to use alternate routes,” Deshmukh said.
