Hyderabad: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is stepping into the future by deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline pilgrim services and strengthen crowd management at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala.

For the first time in India, an AI-Integrated Command Control Centre (ICCC) has been set up at the Vaikuntam I complex. The facility, built with the support of NRIs and costing about ₹30 crore, will be inaugurated on September 25 by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Equipped with advanced cameras and real-time monitoring systems, the ICCC will track crowd density, queue timings, and pilgrim movement right from Alipiri. Devotees will also benefit from enhanced safety, as facial recognition technology will assist in locating missing persons, identifying accident victims, and even reading distress signals through gesture analysis.

The centre will display live feeds from CCTV cameras across departments on a giant video wall, with over 25 technical staff monitoring and coordinating with authorities. 3D maps will highlight congested areas as red zones, enabling swift corrective action.

Beyond crowd control, the system is designed to counter cyber threats and misinformation, ensuring TTD’s reputation remains protected. The AI-driven monitoring will also guide evacuation routes in emergencies, making darshan smoother and safer for lakhs of devotees.

TTD’s additional executive officer, Venkayya Chowdary, noted that the idea was presented by NRIs during Minister Lokesh’s U.S. visit in 2023. “An agreement was reached to replace the existing system with this state-of-the-art ICCC, which is a first-of-its-kind in the country,” he said.

The launch coincides with the annual Srivari Brahmotsavam festival (September 24 onwards), when pilgrim inflow peaks. TTD has assured devotees of streamlined facilities including lockers, accommodation, food services, and vehicle arrangements, making darshan and stay at Tirumala more convenient than ever.