Uttarakhand

• 19 Jun 2024

Crowd Eye Device

Why in News?

Recently, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has developed a 'Crowd Eye' device to manage increasing pilgrim footfall at the Char Dham shrines by sending alerts before the crowd increases.

• On the experimental grounds, preparations are being made to install the first Crowd Eye device in Yamunotri.

Key Points

• This device is designed for real-time monitoring of religious places to manage crowds.
• A funding request has been submitted to Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) in Dehradun for installing a locally developed ‘Crowd Eye’ device in Yamunotri.
  • The project will start after budget approval, with production cost estimated at 60 to 70 thousand rupees. Efforts are also being made to patent this technology.
• Future updates aim to differentiate between male and female data within crowd counts.
• Surveys at Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Pantdweep parking areas in Haridwar are addressing traffic congestion during the pilgrimage season.

Char Dham Yatra

• Yamunotri Dham:
  • Location: Uttarkashi district.
  • Dedicated to: Goddess Yamuna.
  • River Yamuna is the second-most sacred river in India after River Ganga.
• Gangotri Dham:
  • Location: Uttarkashi district.
  • Dedicated to: Goddess Ganga.
  • Considered the most sacred of all Indian rivers.
• Kedarnath Dham:
  • Location: Rudraprayag district.
  • Dedicated to: Lord Shiva.
  • Situated on the bank of the Mandakini River.
  • One of the 12 Jyotirlingas (divine representations of Lord Shiva) in India.
• Badrinath Dham:
  • Location: Chamoli district.
  • Home to the sacred Badrinarayan Temple.
  • Dedicated to: Lord Vishnu.
  • One of the holy shrines for Vaishnavites.