The city of Varanasi has launched a global call for innovators to develop cutting-edge crowd management solutions for its ancient spiritual center, Kashi, as part of the $9 million Sustainable Cities Challenge. This initiative, backed by the Toyota Mobility Foundation, aims to enhance safety and accessibility for the millions of visitors to Varanasi each year.
Selected innovators will have access to a share of $3 million in funding to implement their solutions. The challenge seeks proposals that integrate artificial intelligence, urban design, data analytics, and behavioral science to manage the dense crowds that navigate the city’s narrow lanes. Companies can apply until September 5, 2024.Varanasi, one of three host cities alongside Detroit and Venice, is seeking to leverage this opportunity to improve the experience for pilgrims, tourists, and local residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled. Municipal Commissioner Shri Akshat Verma emphasized the city’s commitment to making Kashi safer and more accessible, highlighting the potential for Varanasi to lead in innovative urban development.
Kolkata, known for its bustling streets and significant crowd management challenges, could benefit from observing Varanasi’s approach. The insights gained from this initiative might offer scalable solutions applicable to other densely populated cities, including Kolkata.Applications will be reviewed, and up to ten semi-finalists will receive grants of $50,000 each in November 2024. Finalists will be awarded $130,000 in May 2025 to test their solutions further, with three winners sharing $1.5 million for final implementation in March 2026. For more information, visit the Sustainable Cities Challenge website.
