Isro Tech to Keep Pilgrims Safe at Gangasagar Mela: Satellite Tracking for Boats and Buses

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has created a vessel tracking system that the South 24-Parganas district government will employ to improve pilgrims' security when they visit the Gangasagar Mela starting on January 8 of next year.

Even in places with spotty network access, the satellite-based Navigation with Indian Constellation (NAVIC) system could provide exact timings and precise position.

"The system works well even in situations with low data frequency or connection. District judge Sumit Gupta of South 24-Parganas said, "This will help us track vehicles and vessels flawlessly and reduce the possibility of missing the locations of the vessels."

The district government intends to make use of the technology to improve pilgrims' security as they travel by boat to and from the yearly religious gathering on Gangasagar Island. The busses that transport people to the assembly will also utilize the technology.

The NAVIC system, which has been connected with the sailors' navigation app to offer detailed data about the vehicles' whereabouts, is installed in the boats by the district administration.

A panic button to transmit SOS signals to the mega control room will also be included in the eSIM-embedded system, according to a civil defense agency official.

The Isro developed NAVIC, a stand-alone regional navigation satellite system. It is intended to serve consumers in India and the area up to 1,500 km around its border, which is its main service area, with exact times and places.

The Indian version of the global positioning system is called NAVIC, and it consists of seven INSAT satellites in orbit (GPS).

To protect Indian fishermen and keep them from wandering into the sea, a south India-based firm launched NAVIC as a mobile application. Apple included NAVIC into the iPhone 15.

Using NAVIC was discussed as a possible security arrangement for the pilgrims at a conference.

According to an official, monitoring cars in areas with poor network coverage and thick fog is a big challenge for maintaining security.

Due to dense fog in 2023, boat and vessel traffic were halted for almost ten hours.