Bengaluru IPL venue row: RCB proposes 350 AI cameras around Chinnaswamy stadium, internet reacts

RCB proposes 350 AI-enabled cameras for crowd management in Chinnaswamy stadium

Amid growing uncertainty over Bengaluru’s status as an IPL venue, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has moved to address safety and crowd management concerns by proposing a large-scale deployment of AI-powered surveillance cameras at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, offering to fund the entire project.

In a formal proposal submitted to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), the franchise suggested installing between 300 and 350 AI-enabled cameras across the stadium and its surrounding areas. The one-time cost of the project is pegged at approximately ₹4.5 crore, which RCB has said it is willing to bear in full.

The proposal comes against the backdrop of reports indicating that some IPL matches scheduled in Bengaluru could be shifted to other cities, including Raipur and Delhi. The possible relocation has been linked to concerns over crowd control, access points, and overall matchday safety at the centrally located Chinnaswamy Stadium.

According to details outlined by RCB, the AI-driven surveillance system would enable real-time monitoring of crowd movement, queue management, entry and exit points, and unauthorised access. The objective, the franchise said, is to strengthen coordination between the KSCA, stadium authorities and law enforcement agencies during high-footfall matches.

RCB has partnered with Staqu, a technology firm specialising in AI-based surveillance and analytics. The company has previously worked with several state police forces across India, offering platforms that analyse video, audio and text inputs to support live monitoring and faster operational response.

The proposed system includes facial recognition and intelligent video analytics capable of detecting incidents such as overcrowding in specific zones, violent behaviour, intrusion into restricted areas and unauthorised entry. Real-time alerts generated by the platform are expected to help security personnel and police respond more swiftly to emerging situations.

The proposal also places emphasis on monitoring the stadium perimeter and nearby zones, an area that has long posed logistical challenges given Chinnaswamy Stadium’s location in the heart of Bengaluru’s central business district.

Online reactions to the proposal have been mixed. While many fans have welcomed steps to retain matches at RCB’s home ground, others have flagged broader safety issues beyond the stadium walls. One user sarcastically wrote that AI cameras might soon track fans’ emotional reactions during playoff exits, calling the plan a “high-tech way to monitor disappointment in real time.”

Another user argued that the real problem lies outside the venue, saying crowding and harassment in areas around the stadium create chaos during matchdays, a situation they compared to congestion outside popular nightlife hubs in parts of the city.