Ahmedabad, July 16 (IANS) The 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra reached Saraspur area on Thursday afternoon, marking the completion of the first major leg of the annual procession as Gujarat Police continued to monitor the event through an extensive technology-driven security network.

Speaking to IANS, Ahmedabad Cyber Cell DCP, Dr Lavina Sinha, said the first segment of the procession had reached Saraspur while the second segment was on its way, with the yatra progressing as scheduled under heavy security.

“Surveillance was being carried out from the police control room, with the entire 16-km procession route covered by CCTV cameras, including high-resolution pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras that provide real-time monitoring of crowds and movement,” she said.

In addition to physical deployment, police have intensified cyber surveillance to curb the spread of rumours and misinformation during the procession.

“We have police deployed and a cyber cell for media monitoring. All platforms of social media and the media are being monitored for any rumours or misinformation. We are keeping a watch,” a senior police officer said.

Asked about action taken against social media accounts, Lavina said, “We are still taking action. I think the exact number we will be able to tell tomorrow.”

Officials said this year’s security arrangements rely heavily on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies.

“We have surveillance all across. For media monitoring we have an AI-enabled tool for social media monitoring. Then we have drone surveillance from the sky and CCTV surveillance at all points. The entire route is covered. The control room is also enabled with AI and face recognition abilities,” the officer said.

Explaining the facial recognition system, the officer said, “There is a database of people that we create and leverage for the recognition of miscreants, if any.”

According to the Crime Branch, high-tech drones, facial recognition cameras, audio surveillance systems and social media monitoring are being used to keep a close watch on the Rath Yatra route and surrounding areas throughout the day.

The annual Rath Yatra, which began from the historic Shree Jagannath Mandir in Jamalpur earlier in the day, follows its traditional route through Ahmedabad, with Saraspur regarded as one of the most significant halts.

The locality is traditionally considered the maternal home (mamera) of Lord Jagannath, where the deities are ceremonially welcomed and offered mahaprasad before the procession resumes its onward journey.

Regarded as India’s second-largest Jagannath Rath Yatra after Puri, the Ahmedabad procession is being conducted under one of the city’s most extensive security operations, with more than 31,000 police personnel, Rapid Action Force units and other security agencies deployed to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the centuries-old religious event.

–IANS

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