Bhubaneswar: The state government will use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to keep criminals at bay during this year’s Rath Jatra at Odisha's Puri town on July 7.

AI-enabled CCTV cameras will be installed on the Grand Roads and other places at Puri to keep tab on criminals and pickpockets during the mega festival.

A decision to this effect was taken at the second coordination meeting for Rath Jatra today.

The AI-enabled CCTV cameras will recognize the criminals by their face and alert the police about their movements. The administration will set up a special control room for this purpose.

As per decision taken at the meeting, the Health department will set up a 100-bed temporary facility at Puri to treat heatstroke patients during the festival.

Meanwhile, Director General of Police (in-charge) Arun Kumar Sarangi chaired a preparatory meeting at Odisha Police headquarters in Cuttack on security arrangements for Rath Jatra

The DGP asked senior police officials to ensure foolproof security at Puri as several VVIPs including the President Droupadi Murmu, Odisha Governor Raghubar Das and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi are scheduled to visit the Holy Town during the Rath Jatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

The Odisha Police will deploy bomb disposal squads, adequate number of metal detectors and intelligence squads as part of security arrangements for the annual festival.