ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU (RCB) has proposed the installation of an AI-driven surveillance system at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, aiming to significantly enhance matchday crowd management and security.
In a formal communication to the Karnataka State Cricket Association, RCB outlined plans to install between 300 and 350 AI-enabled cameras across the stadium. The franchise has offered to fund the entire one-time cost of the project, estimated at around Rs 4.5 crore, as part of its RCB Cares initiative.
RCB has partnered with Staqu, a technology firm known for deploying automation and data-driven intelligence solutions to improve public safety. Staqu’s facial recognition technology and intelligent monitoring systems covering crowds, perimeters, objects and vehicles have previously assisted several State Police forces in routine surveillance and investigative work, per the announcement from RCB.
The proposed system uses advanced analysis of video, audio and text data to support quicker investigations and more accurate decision-making. Its real-time AI video analytics can enable early detection of incidents such as violence, unauthorised access and intrusions, allowing for rapid and effective law-enforcement responses.
The proposal follows the tragic stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations last year, when severe overcrowding and inadequate crowd control resulted in multiple fatalities and left dozens injured. Subsequent investigations highlighted serious shortcomings in event planning and entry management, sparking calls for comprehensive reforms in stadium safety protocols.
