Ujjain: The Madhya Pradesh government has begun testing advanced drone technologies to strengthen public safety, crowd management and emergency response ahead of Simhastha 2028, which is expected to draw about 30 crore devotees.
The Ujjain administration conducted live demonstrations of next-generation drones along the banks of the sacred Shipra River as part of its strategy to build a technology-enabled governance framework for the mega event. The demonstration was reviewed by Ujjain Divisional Commissioner Asheesh Singh, who said the initiative reflects the state’s commitment to leveraging emerging technologies for efficient event management.
The drones showcased capabilities including long-range aerial surveillance, real-time video and data transmission, public announcement systems, and emergency response support. These technologies are expected to play a crucial role in monitoring large gatherings, improving situational awareness, enabling faster decision-making, and supporting integrated command and control operations during Simhastha.
In Simhastha 2028, the administration is focusing on creating a comprehensive technology ecosystem to ensure seamless crowd management, traffic regulation, disaster response, and public safety. The initiative is centred around real-time situational awareness, integrated control rooms, and smart digital governance tools.
Sharing details of the exercise, Singh said the administration’s objective is to enhance emergency preparedness, strengthen public safety mechanisms, and establish a technology-driven management system capable of handling one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings efficiently.
The initiative forms part of the Madhya Pradesh government’s broader vision of integrating advanced technologies with infrastructure development to make Simhastha 2028 safe, sustainable, and globally benchmarked. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the state is working to combine tradition with innovation by deploying smart governance solutions across key aspects of the event.
According to the administration, the adoption of advanced surveillance technologies and integrated digital platforms is expected to improve operational efficiency, reinforce emergency response capabilities, and deliver a safe and seamless experience for millions of pilgrims while positioning Simhastha 2028 as a global model for technology enabled management of large scale religious events.
