Toyota Mobility Foundation unveils finalists for $3 mn challenge to tackle crowd management in Varanasi
Toyota Mobility Foundation
(TMF) has announced five finalists for its $3 million
Sustainable Cities Challenge
, aimed at transforming crowd management in the historic city of Varanasi. The finalists will each receive $130,000 to pilot their innovative solutions in Kashi, with the potential to scale across the city.
The challenge, launched in collaboration with the Varanasi Municipal Corporation, Challenge Works, and the World Resources Institute, invited global innovators to address congestion and enhance pedestrian and pilgrimage flow in one of India's oldest cities.
The five selected teams are:
Arcadis: Their 'SANKALP' system integrates mobile technology, real-time data and simulations for proactive crowd management.
CITYDATA.ai: Offers 'CityFlow', an AI-powered, cloud-based platform using big data and computer vision for real-time crowd insights.
VOGIC AI: Developed 'Behtar-Way', India's first hyperlocal, AI-driven pedestrian navigation tool tailored to dynamic urban environments.
Prameya Consulting: Introduced 'Nayichaal', a 'phygital' platform combining apps, signage, and dashboards for inclusive and safe mobility.
The Urbanizer: Proposed 'Jan Jatra', a people-first wayfinding solution combining digital signage, colour-coded routes, and tactical urbanism.
'These finalists are helping us reimagine movement through Kashi while preserving its cultural essence,' said Akshat Verma, IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Varanasi. 'Their work reflects the spirit of innovation rooted in local realities.'
The pilots will be evaluated for long-term impact and scalability, with final implementation grants to be awarded in 2026.
The Varanasi challenge is one of three global city challenges under TMF's initiative, alongside Detroit and Venice, aimed at creating sustainable
urban mobility solutions
worldwide.
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