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Ahmedabad is now the first Indian city to use artificial intelligence (AI) for comprehensive surveillance and monitoring undertaken by municipal corporations and the police across the entire city. Paldi has transformed into a hub for an AI-enabled command and control centre, boasting an impressive nine-by-three-metre screen. This centre oversees a significant area of 460 square kilometres, covering Ahmedabad and its surroundings. The AI-based surveillance system includes live drone footage and camera feeds from various sources such as traffic signals and buses, providing a comprehensive six-camera view that monitors the entire city.
The AI system possesses the capability to monitor and handle a range of issues that extend beyond its original functionalities, including tracking traffic violations and unidentified activities. This AI-driven system excels in locating missing individuals and identifying suspicious behaviour. It is anticipated to be an asset for both the municipal corporations and the police force in Ahmedabad city.
The role of AI in this surveillance system is pivotal, as it actively monitors incoming footage in real-time. AI plays a crucial role in efficiently performing tasks such as analysing both live and recorded footage to extract useful information.
Furthermore, the use of drones enhances surveillance by assisting in detecting issues such as illegal parking, stalls, garbage accumulation, and various other civic problems. The combination of drone footage and AI analysis facilitates the swift identification and resolution of these issues.
A notable example is the successful handling of stray animals in the city. The AI control room played a crucial role in addressing this concern by identifying and capturing stray animals, and later returning them to their owners. The AI-powered system not only facilitates prompt responses to incidents but also ensures timely actions and, in some cases, imposes penalties on offenders.
Residents in Ahmedabad have expressed they feel safer and observed improvements in traffic management and overall cleanliness following the implementation of the AI-based system. Ahmedabad city stands as a beacon of progress, illustrating how technologies like AI can significantly contribute to the overall development and safety of urban areas in India.
State governments nationwide have been proactively advocating for the implementation of AI. Uttar Pradesh, the largest state, is leading the way by building the country’s first AI city in Lucknow. The objective is to establish a hub that nurtures and accommodates the AI ecosystem.
As OpenGov Asia reported, the AI city, using state-of-the-art technologies, research centres, and educational institutions, aims to become a central hub for fostering ideas and cultivating the next generation of the workforce.
The project will seamlessly integrate luxury and affordable housing complexes, incorporating a walk-to-work model. The design includes a dedicated zone for leading engineering and management institutes, promoting collaboration between industry and academia. Additionally, the AI city will incorporate AI-enabled internal modes of transport to enhance connectivity.
The government is set to allocate approximately 40 acres in the Nadarganj Industrial Area for the project. This designated land is free of all restraints and supports land acquisition, regulations, zoning, and other significant clearances.
Real estate developers will be brought on to develop and operate the AI city. The selected developer will build office infrastructure with plug-and-play facilities, including a tower offering Grade A office spaces customised for incubators, startups, and corporate entities.