Crowd Chaos to Crowd Control: How AI and tech can prevent stampede tragedies in India

So far, since 2003, more than 800 lives have been lost due to stampedes. Image: Shutterstock

Artificial disasters are catastrophic events caused intentionally or unintentionally by human actions. They can result in significant damage to the environment, property, and human life. The uncontrolled movement of large crowds is exacerbated by human actions or negligence. Stampedes are a type of artificial disaster, often resulting from poor crowd management planning, inadequate safety measures, and overcrowding. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) 's IPL victory parade on June 4, 2025, turned tragic as a stampede at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, left 11 dead and many injured — a preventable disaster caused by poor crowd management planning. Despite over fifty stampede-related deaths this year, organisers of the event have ignored warning signs. 

So far, since 2003, more than 800 lives have been lost due to stampedes. This year alone, India has witnessed more than five major stampedes in various places that took away the lives of 60 and caused injuries to hundreds. Reasons for the stampede include rumours, overcrowding, limited infrastructure, a lack of emergency protocols, poor coordination by organisers and government authorities, and mismanagement. These tragedies remind us of the urgent need for crowd control strategies. In a country like India, which is home to millions of illiterates, large gatherings often occur, and stampedes happen often due to a lack of comprehensive crowd control measures and better safety strategies. 

Past experiences have shown that inadequate planning, a lack of proper preparedness for crowd management, limited adoption or no adoption of technology, erratic human behaviour, inadequate infrastructure facilities, and especially negligence by officials and the public often cause stampedes. Overcrowding in areas with narrow passageways, limited exit routes, inadequate security personnel deployment, and insufficient monitoring significantly increases the risk. Also, the presence of women, elders, children, and families will worsen the situation. The problem worsens when walkways are poorly maintained, there is insufficient ventilation, poor emergency planning, weak coordination by authorities, limited use of crowd-control technology, and unclear signage, making it difficult for people to move safely and efficiently. In moments of sudden panic—triggered, for instance, by a false alarm—the psychology of crowds takes over, leading to a chain reaction of chaos.

The frequent stampedes offer lessons that policymakers and organisers cannot ignore. These mishaps reveal systemic gaps in crowd management and other challenges that, if addressed proactively, could save precious lives. One key takeaway is the need for well-designed entry and exit points, providing as many emergency exits as possible to manage large crowds at stadiums and other public places. Frequent announcements about crowd movements, based on live CCTV videos and analytical dashboards, can help reduce crowd panic during chaotic situations. Organisers should ensure the deployment of well-trained volunteers for effective crowd management. Passing reliable communication through these volunteers can be helpful, as it can direct large crowds and de-escalate tense situations. 

Government agencies and departments need to leverage emerging technologies for effective crowd monitoring via live CCTV coverage, mobile location services, and the deployment of AI-based crowd analytics, as well as ensure a multilingual communication system for emergency announcements, which can vastly improve the effective management of crowds. Event managers, governments, and law enforcement, anchored by a central command centre, are essential for managing the crowds effectively during major festivals or high-footfall days at various events. Moreover, authorities can plan for public awareness around safety protocols and responsible behaviour through social media, community outreach, and other channels, which can help foster responsible behaviour among the citizens. By learning from past incidents and investing in both physical and social infrastructure, we can better safeguard lives during large gatherings. Collaboration and partnerships between government agencies and authorities can ensure error-free crowd management.  

[This article has been reproduced with permission from the Indian School of Business, India]