The ancient city of Varanasi has announced a global invitation for pioneering innovators to develop advanced crowd management solutions, as part of the $9 million Sustainable Cities Challenge. This initiative, supported by the Toyota Mobility Foundation, offers a share of $3 million in funding to selected innovators.
Varanasi, one of only three cities chosen, aims to enhance safety and accessibility for pilgrims and tourists in its historic Kashi district. Innovators are invited to submit applications by September 5, 2024, with proposals integrating AI, urban design, data analytics, and behavioral science.The Varanasi Innovating Crowd Flow Challenge, designed alongside Toyota Mobility Foundation, Challenge Works, and the World Resources Institute, seeks to address the city’s safety and overcrowding issues, especially given the influx of 70 million visitors annually.
Shri Akshat Verma, Municipal Commissioner of Varanasi, emphasized the city’s commitment to making Kashi safer and more accessible. “We are excited to identify technologies that will benefit citizens and tourists alike,” he said.The success of this initiative could provide valuable insights for other cities facing similar challenges, such as Kolkata. Known for its bustling streets, Kolkata could benefit from adopting scalable crowd management solutions developed through Varanasi’s challenge.Applications are open until September 5, 2024. Semi-finalists will be announced in November, with finalists selected in May 2025 and winners in March 2026. For more information, visit the Sustainable Cities Challenge website.
