Kolhapur: Solapur collector Kumar Ashirwad announced the district planning committee has sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for crowd management using drones and AI technology during Ashadi Wari at Pandharpur.

The event attracts more than 10 lakh devotees from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.The district administration has arranged for water release from Ujani dam on June 18 to ensure adequate water levels at the Chandrabhaga ghat in Pandharpur by June 25, considering the devotees' ritual bath during Ashadi Ekadashi.Ashirwad said, "The police department will use AI technology and drones to control the crowd.

The number of dindis (warkari groups) has been increasing for the last few years. Rest stops will be provided for the warkaris every 3-4km. These rest stops will be equipped with beds, water, toilets, medical facilities, and other amenities. Encroachments along the road will be removed soon. With rain intensity expected to stay on the higher side, the road potholes will be fixed.

"Solapur guardian minister Jaykumar Gore inspected the palkhi route preparations at Phaltan in Satara district and at Pandharpur in Solapur district on Friday.

"Govt is committed to providing excellent facilities to the warkaris during the Ashadhi Wari period. Also, priority is being given to making this Ashadhi Wari a wari of cleanliness. A separate mechanism will be set up to ensure that the Chandrabhaga riverbed remains clean during the wari period. A cleanliness campaign will be implemented in Pandharpur city with public participation before the wari," he said.The administration will install large pandals at wari halting locations to shelter pilgrims travelling independently to Pandharpur. Gore added: "There will be no fund shortage in any of the works regarding preparations for wari. The work of the palkhi route is underway at Phaltan, and instructions have been given to complete this work in 15 to 20 days."