Pune: The ashadhi wari procession has always been known for its precision, management and discipline and has now included AI.Devotees, organisers and the administration are using AI to make the procession a more memorable experience. Right from creating pictures, videos and graphics for social media to tackling serious logistics, AI is being roped in. The disaster management authorities are using AI-integrated CCTV camera networks at high-density friction points, while AI predictive data models are assisting the administration with better scheduling. Use of drones equipped with AI computer vision algorithms are being used to patrol the palkhi routes and key gathering spots — an experiment previously carried out in the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh. Even the health department is using AI for medical emergencies and medical aid.The police department said they have used AI for several purposes — including traffic management and procession security. Data of criminals on record has been integrated into an AI model and is being used for their facial recognition and activities. The initiative helps detect suspicious activity. “AI is proving effective. Managing the crowd and better tracking of the processions was possible with this newage technology,” said DCP traffic Sandip Bhajibhakre, .Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials said they have used AI tools and models for route mapping. AI-enabled cameras helped monitor the procession, since the control rooms were integrated with AI — helping in data analysis and management. “Real-time inspections were possible. The accuracy of the management has increased after AI was added,” said Ganesh Sonune, head of PMC’s disaster management department.The annual 21-day-long processions of the ashadhi wari commenced on Thursday from Pune. Over six lakh devotees participated in the procession, which will culminate at Pandharpur on July 25.Meanwhile, AI-embedded health screening camps are also being conducted. The public health and family welfare department launched the Arogyasampanna Wari, a digital app inaugurated by minister Prakash Abitkar to provide immediate, accessible healthcare to lakhs of warkaris. The app aggregates ambulance services, doctor contacts, health centres, Aapla Dawakhana clinics, drinking water and sanitation points, foot-care centres, lactation rooms, halting/resting spots and emergency numbers — enabling faster access to essential services.The minister emphasised the app’s role in making the pilgrimage safer and more organised. He urged devotees to download and use Arogyasampanna Wari, calling it a key step in leveraging technology for efficient health management during large-scale religious events.Additionally, private companies also volunteered to serve the devotees. One such tool, Mukhia, was deployed at the warkari procession to enable early detection of precancerous and suspicious oral lesions. Dr Prachee Hendre-Mhetras of Edgescan AI, which developed the tool, led the camp and screened citizens. She said, “Our dental team was able to screen over 25 devotees within a span of a few hours in a compact space. AI-powered tools like Mukhia are ideal for mass screenings as it is non-invasive and delivers the reports within 10 seconds. The tool runs the oral cavity photographs with the app’s trained algorithm and flags lesions, if any, as potentially precancerous or cancerous.”
