Kolkata: The South 24 Parganas district administration plans to use ISRO developed NaviC technology to track and monitor crowds during the Gangasagar Mela.
The Mela will commence from this evening. More than one crore pilgrims are expected to visit Sagar Mela this year.
The ISRO navigation technology, with an Indian constellation consisting of seven satellites and a network of ground stations, provides accurate information and precise timings.
For crowd control, the administration will use the NaviC technology.
There will be real-time tracking with over 1200 CCTV cameras. There will also be drone-based tracking and GPS-guided intelligent crowd monitoring. There will be thermal-imaging drones to enhance surveillance, too.
A 54 km stretch was barricaded to regulate crowd movement, and 150 NGOs with 10,000 volunteers will assist in crowd management and provide health support.
Over 2500 buses will carry pilgrims from different places. 16 buffer zones were prepared along Babu ghat to the Sagar Mela route for regulating the flow of vehicles.
A combined single-ticket system from Kolkata and Howrah to Lot 8 to Kachuberia and back will be implemented for seamless travel to Gangasagar.
There will be 21 jetties operational during the Mela. In addition, 13 barges with an average capacity of 1000 to 2500 persons, along with 45 vessels and 100 launches, will be deployed at Lot 8 and Namkhana for the transportation of pilgrims.
For disaster management, 2500 civil defence volunteers, along with QRTs, deep divers, Navy, SDRF, NDRF and the Coast Guard will be deployed.
There will be 18 temporary fire stations as well as 50 fire tenders placed at strategic locations.
A total of 12,300 toilets are being arranged for sanitation. Another seven solid waste management units will be operational.
Three plastic waste management units will promote eco-friendly practices and 75 e-carts will be deployed to collect waste.
There will also be 100 solar street lights and biodegradable bag production units.
The administration has also set up five temporary hospitals with 125 beds, with an additional 415 beds being earmarked. 100 ambulances and air and water ambulances will ensure emergency health care. There will also be 30 critical care units.
For maintaining law and order, 15,000 police personnel will be deployed along with traffic regulations and parking plans for smooth movement.
