In a move to beef up pilgrim security at the temple town of Tirumala, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will soon be keeping a close watch on the movement of people and vehicles.

Two drones fitted with high-resolution cameras will soon be on security surveillance as part of the pilot project, a report in the Times of India adds.

The Sri Venkateswara temple is one of the busiest places of worship in the world and is frequented by over 50,000 people everyday. 

The drone cameras are expected to be deployed during the nine-day annual Brahmotsavam, which occurs later this month when the number of pilgrims crosses a lakh per day.

“We are using drone cameras for the first time in Tirumala. Such cameras will help us keep a close watch on the movement of people and also prevent stampede or stampede-like situations,“ Tirupati (Urban) DSP Gopinath Jetti told TOI. 

Each drone camera flies at a height of between 100 feet to 200 feet and works on rechargeable batteries, which can keep the drone in flight for around 90 minutes.

The report also adds that the drone will not be operated over the sanctum sanctorum of the temple as temple law prohibits it.