Ujjain Police Revamps Google Maps Data to Manage Crowd, Direct Devotees Straight to Parking

Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh: In a pioneering move to handle the surge of devotees at Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain Police have implemented a state-of-the-art Google Maps-based crowd management system. The technology blocks congested routes in real-time and guides pilgrims directly to designated parking areas, ensuring smooth traffic flow and reducing city-wide gridlocks.

High-Tech Crowd Management
With the New Year celebrations drawing massive crowds, devotees from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and other states have flocked to Ujjain to seek blessings at Mahakaleshwar. Authorities report that the city receives approximately 150,000 to 200,000 pilgrims daily during this period, with vehicle inflow doubling from the usual 6,000 to around 12,000 four-wheelers per day.

To manage this unprecedented crowd, Ujjain Police have modified Google Maps data to implement a high-tech crowd management system. The system blocks high-traffic routes and activates alternative paths, ensuring that pilgrims reach parking areas directly without entering congested zones. This initiative has been specially rolled out for the New Year period, with plans to implement it again during Simhasth 2028.

Dynamic Traffic Control
A dedicated team comprising ten police officers, along with a Gurgaon-based IT company, monitors real-time traffic from 8 AM to 10 PM. Whenever congestion is detected, the affected route is immediately blocked on Google Maps, and alternate clear routes are activated. This ensures that incoming devotees see only the routes approved by the police, taking them directly to nearby smart parking areas such as the Four Dham Smart Parking and the parking near Harsiddhi Mandir, the closest to Mahakaleshwar Temple.

Real-Time Route Updates
According to CSP Rahul Deshmukh, the system dynamically diverts traffic to prevent jams within the city. “Pilgrims now reach parking areas directly via Google Maps without entering crowded streets,” he said. The IT team uses Google’s algorithm to display only the alternate, congestion-free routes.

Managing New Year Rush
With the New Year festivities, Mahakaleshwar Temple is witnessing a massive influx of devotees. Thanks to the dedicated real-time monitoring team, traffic routes are being adjusted continuously, ensuring smooth access to the temple. Devotees are guided efficiently to parking and temple entrances, significantly improving their darshan experience and easing city traffic pressure.