The recent news of the temple stampede and Chief Minister Naidu's subsequent comments about coordination lapses ["'Had they informed …': CM Naidu blames organisers for temple stampede; cites coordination lapse"] weigh heavily on my mind. It's a stark, painful reminder that many tragedies are not acts of fate, but rather failures in foresight, planning, and execution.
I’ve long reflected on the inherent risks associated with large public gatherings, especially during religious festivals in India. The sheer scale of devotion and human movement presents unique challenges that demand more than just traditional crowd control. This very concern led me to share my thoughts in a blog titled REAL AND PRESENT DANGER AT MAHA KUMBH [http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2024/12/real-and-present-danger-at-maha-kumbh.html].
The core idea I wanted to convey then, and which rings with renewed urgency now, is the absolute necessity to “imagine / visualize / predict” all possible scenarios—even the most unlikely ones—using advanced AI. My belief is simple: “IF … abc … happens, THEN, do … xyz.” If something can go wrong, especially when millions are gathered, it will go wrong if not meticulously prepared for. I had even proposed innovative solutions like implementing POD TAXIS and GANGA-JAL SPRINKLERS to manage pilgrim flow, ensuring both safety and a dignified spiritual experience without the risks of overcrowding.
Chief Minister Naidu's observation that organizers should have informed authorities about the crowd situation is precisely the kind of breakdown I envisioned. It highlights a critical gap in communication and preparedness. We need systems that don't just react, but proactively predict and prevent. Technology offers us incredible tools—from real-time crowd density monitoring to AI-driven predictive analytics for identifying potential choke points before they become lethal. My earlier insights, like using controlled flow mechanisms akin to those seen in modern transit systems, could prevent the very chaos that leads to stampedes.
Reflecting on it today, I feel a sense of validation for those earlier ideas, coupled with a deep sorrow that such preventable tragedies continue to occur. It reinforces my conviction that we must revisit and seriously consider these proactive, technological solutions, for they clearly hold immense value in safeguarding lives in the current context.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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