Tirumala Gets India’s First AI-Based Command Centre for Pilgrims

In a groundbreaking move combining technology with spirituality, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has launched India’s first AI-powered Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at Tirumala. The centre, inaugurated by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on September 25, 2025, aims to revolutionize the way pilgrim traffic, safety, and darshan management are handled at one of the world’s busiest religious shrines. This marks a significant leap in adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) for smart governance in temple management, especially during peak seasons when millions of devotees converge on the holy hill.

What is the ICCC?

The Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) is a 24/7 operations hub equipped with cutting-edge technologies to monitor and manage,

• Crowd density
• Queue lengths and wait times
• Real-time darshan flow
• Accommodation updates
• Anomaly detection and emergency response

Located at the Vaikuntam Queue Complex, the centre operates with unified dashboards and cross-department coordination, ensuring seamless service delivery to pilgrims.

AI in Action: Features of the Tirumala ICCC

Real-Time Queue Management

The ICCC uses AI-powered queue analytics to,

• Predict and display real-time waiting times
• Map density levels across compartments
• Optimize Sarva Darshanam flow to avoid congestion
• This system allows authorities to adjust access points dynamically based on crowd movement and reduce waiting fatigue for pilgrims.

Safety Through Surveillance

Safety is a key priority, with the ICCC offering,

• Facial recognition for identity verification and lost-person tracking
• Anomaly alerts to detect suspicious activity
• Drone-assisted monitoring for quick incident response
• 3D congestion maps for real-time visibility of overcrowded areas

These technologies help in guided evacuation and emergency preparedness, especially during festival surges.

Why It Was Set Up

• The idea for the ICCC came from discussions led by the Andhra Pradesh IT Minister with global technology experts in 2024. Inspired by smart city innovations, digital twin models, and AI-driven public service tools, the state government pushed for similar integration in Tirumala.
• The goal: blend technology with tradition to handle the unprecedented footfalls the temple receives while ensuring devotee comfort and safety.

Key Facts

• India’s first AI-powered ICCC launched at Tirumala on September 25, 2025
• Inaugurated by CM Chandrababu Naidu
• Offers real-time queue analytics, drone surveillance, facial recognition
• Located at Vaikuntam Queue Complex
• Ensures crowd management, cyber monitoring, and safety