New Year in Bengaluru: Heat Map policing; What is it?

From crowd-tracking technology to massive police deployment and special transport, Bengaluru gears up to manage over 10 lakh New Year revellers safely

As the city prepares to welcome the New Year, Bengaluru Police have put in place an extensive security and crowd management plan, introducing heat map technology for the first time to monitor celebrations across the Silicon City.

Officials estimate that over 10 lakh people will step out to celebrate this year, compared to around 8 lakh last year. To manage the surge, police have rolled out a tech-driven and manpower-heavy strategy focusing on safety, crowd regulation and smooth movement.

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For the first time, heat map technology will be used to track real-time crowd density. Areas with very high crowd concentration will be marked in red, zones where crowds are increasing will appear in yellow, and green will indicate low footfall. These visuals will be monitored continuously from the central command centre, allowing police to deploy forces instantly wherever required.

On the ground, around 20,000 police personnel will be deployed across the city. This includes 14,000 regular police staff, 2,500 traffic police, 88 KSRP platoons, 21 CAR units, 266 Hoysala patrol vehicles, 250 Cobra vehicles, and 400 traffic wardens. Additional support will come from civil defence teams and home guards. To manage overcrowding, water jets will also be kept ready at sensitive locations.

Special attention is being given to bar and restaurant zones, metro corridors and major entertainment hubs, where large numbers of young people are expected. Watch towers will be installed wherever needed, along with 180 high-focus lights to improve visibility and surveillance.

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To help the public access information quickly, QR codes will be made available, providing details on ambulances, vehicle assistance, traffic updates and emergency contacts. Police control rooms and vehicle-checking points will operate throughout the night.

Understanding late-night travel challenges, police have also arranged special transport facilities at eight locations. This is aimed at helping people reach home safely, especially if taxis are unavailable.

Police have issued a clear warning that drunk and disorderly behaviour on roads will invite strict action, as authorities focus on ensuring a safe, controlled and incident-free New Year celebration for Bengaluru.