Startups Take Charge To Transform Ayodhya City Into A Hi-Tech Pilgrim Hub

At a time when India is all set to welcome Lord Ram to his new holy abode, Indian startups have left no stone unturned to transform the god’s own city, Ayodhya, into a hi-tech spiritual centre and a tech-first tourist hub. 

For the uninitiated, the UP government has set its eyes on the all-round transformation of the city. The government anticipates a tenfold increase in Ayodhya tourism by 2024 following the completion of the Ram temple’s construction and development work.

To accommodate this anticipated influx of pilgrims, the city today needs hassle-free transportation and navigation services, tech-driven security and law enforcement measures, and a sharp focus on sustainable practices, among other things.

This is exactly where new-age Indian startups, along with other tech companies, come into the picture. While the likes ETO Motors and GreenCell Mobility will provide carbon emissions-free travel options to pilgrims, startups like Staqu Technologies will provide their technology to keep a check on the law and order situation in the ancient city of Ayodhya. 

While this is just the tip of the iceberg, let’s delve deeper into understanding how the city situated on the banks of the river Saryu is getting a complete makeover, led by India’s cavalry of startups.

Startups Come Together To Address Green Mobility Needs

The tourist influx is sure to bring in more than desirable air pollution, primarily driven by the number of vehicles that will ply on the city roads.

To counter this situation, the government is focussing on promoting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the city. On January 14, chief minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off 100 ebuses for tourists in the city. 

The state government has also awarded a contract to Hyderabad-based energy startup ETO Motors to deploy 500 electric three-wheelers in Uttar Pradesh, with a special focus on Ayodhya. 

ETO’s subsidiary, Trinity Cleantech, has also partnered with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to deploy EV charging stations in Ayodhya.

In addition to the 100 ebuses already operational in the city, shared electric mobility startup GreenCell Mobility will be providing 150 ebuses.

“The buses will not only provide transport to the devotees visiting the city but also help in offsetting over 600 tonnes of tailpipe emissions per month,” said Devendra Chawla, the MD and CEO of the Mumbai-based startup, in a social media post. 

Meanwhile, Uber will be starting operations of its affordable taxis UberGO and Uber Intercity in the city soon. The company has already launched a fleet of its autorickshaws in Ayodhya. 

“Not only do we intend to provide enhanced mobility options to tourists and pilgrims but also unlock earning opportunities for many more in the region. We are committed to contributing to the city’s tourism, promoting a seamless travel experience and fostering sustainable economic growth,” the company’s India and South Asia president Prabhjeet Singh said. 

AI To Be Ayodhya’s Third Eye

In a bid to take care of the law and order situation in the city on the day of the consecration ceremony, the authorities have tied up with AI-based video analytics startup Staqu Technologies. 

The startup will provide real-time security surveillance in Ayodhya using its AI-powered Jarvis platform. The platform will monitor the event for threats and suspicious activities and provide real-time alerts.

Founded in 2015, the Delhi NCR-based startup has in the past provided its facial recognition system, Trinetra, to authorities in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab to help them identify faces and look for potential matches in the centralised database of criminals.

Speaking with Inc42, cofounder and CEO Atul Rai said that the startup started working with authorities in the state seven years ago by introducing Trinetra, which is a key component of Jarvis. 

“Authorities in Ayodhya expressed interest in deploying Jarvis for facial recognition, along with three additional features. The software boasts more than 85 analytics, including a site-based module for footfall and queue size analysis. The security module encompasses facial recognition, fire detection, and monitoring cleanliness,” he said.

Staqu has installed ‘Jarvis’ at famous hotspots in Ayodhya city to enable real-time analysis of the CCTV feed, which will be sourcing real-time feeds from 10,000 CCTVs. 

While the startup will provide the Jarvis software, the authorities will be overseeing the hardware requirements like the cameras for the surveillance. 

Maps To Unlock The City’s Hidden Gems

For any tourists entering a new city, navigation is one of the basic needs. For this purpose, the Ayodhya Development Authority has chosen Genesys International’s New India map platform to guide pilgrims through optimal routes and share precise locations. 

It will also be integrating 2D navigation and a 3D digital twin of the entire city, special features tailored for electric vehicles, reflecting Ayodhya’s dedication to eco-friendly initiatives, the company disclosed in a stock exchange filing. Further, the company plans to introduce features like a unique change detection feature.

Genesys will also provide “a full-scale immersive experience that allows one to explore every nook and cranny of this ancient city”.

Given that the city roads are expected to remain jam-packed on January 22, mobility startup Chalo has made its app live in Ayodhya to help tourists track the live location of their buses to travel hassle-free.  

Founded in 2014 by Mohit Dubey and Vinayak Bhavnani, Chalo operates a full-stack tech platform that allows bus owners to digitise their operations by adding features such as live tracking and digital payments. On the other hand, commuters can avail services such as live arrival time, live tracking and bus cards.  

Chalo last raised $57 Mn in May last year in a funding round which was a mix of equity and debt.

All Hands On The Deck

Meanwhile, to promote sustainability and reduce waste generation, the Ram Mandir Trust has partnered with a city-based startup, CHUK, which manufactures 100% compostable tableware. CHUK plans to provide up to 10 Lakh pieces of compostable tableware during the ceremony on January 22.

Moving on, given the mass-scale adoption of UPI-based digital transactions in the country, proper enablement of tech to facilitate digital transactions is a necessity. 

To ensure this, the Ayodhya Nagar Nigam has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with fintech major Paytm to enable Nagar Nigam facilities with mobile payments using Paytm pioneered QR code, soundbox and card machines.  

This multi-pronged approach of local authorities to the consecration ceremony has thrusted Indian startups right in the middle of the action. With the city all decked up to welcome tourists, it is the homegrown entrepreneurial ecosystem that is all set to leverage the influx and the ceremony to create a niche for itself.

Notwithstanding this, it is the spirit of Indian entrepreneurship that shines brightly as Ayodhya gears up to welcome Ram Lalla to his holy abode.