The Cyber Crime Cell, Goa Police held its Second Hackathon, a non-stop 48 hours event, inviting all Goan students, regardless of their field of study, to apply their coding and problem-solving skills to address core policing challenges. This event aims to develop digital tools that boost police efficiency and aid in crime detection. Through a collaborative approach, the Hackathon seeks to establish a partnership between Goa Police and students to build a safer society. This initiative encourages the use of technology for public service and nation-building, providing a platform for young innovators to contribute to community safety.
To participate in the event the teams had to register online by September 17, with September 24, being the deadline to submit a two-page abstract for the chosen problem (from among the 9 problem statements) containing an explanation of the Problem statement, proposed solution to the Problem statement, features of the Final solution to be designed, reason for opting for the Problem statement and past expertise in the area (if any). Teams shortlisted based on their abstracts were intimated by September 25, and the 48-hour Hackathon commenced at 7:00 PM on September 27, concluding at 7:00 PM on September 29 at the BITS Pilani, Goa campus. Final presentations were scheduled on 19th October 2024 at the campus.
A team of four BCA students (all males) from the Department of Computer Science of the college participated in the “Goa Police Hackathon 2024,” an event that saw fierce competition among 23 teams from various institutes across Goa, all striving to design innovative solutions for policing.
The participating students were:
- Rahul Rajpurohit (TY BCA, Div A)
- Ronal Barbosa (TY BCA, Div A)
- Rishabh Arolkar (TY BCA, Div A)
- Valencio Monteiro (TY BCA, Div A)
The team chose E-BANDOBAST, a digital tool designed to enhance police deployment and monitor personnel movement during large events using real-time location tracking. It allows deployment data, including officer details, duty locations, and supervisory information, to be uploaded in a structured Excel format. Officers receive SMS notifications with check-in links to confirm their presence, and geofencing ensures they remain within designated areas. Deviations trigger instant alerts to supervisors for quick response, while shift completion requires supervisor approval to end tracking. E-BANDOBAST streamlines deployment management, check-ins, and log-offs via SMS integration, boosting efficiency and accountability during large-scale events.
The inaugural ceremony of the Goa Police Hackathon was held at BITS Pilani, Goa, featuring esteemed guests including Shri Alok Kumar, IPS (DGP of Goa), Akshat Kaushal, IPS (North SP of Goa), Rahul Gupta, IPS (South SP of Goa), Prof. Suman Kundu (Director of BITS Pilani), and Prof. Meenal Kowshik (Dean of BITS Pilani).
The final round took place on October 19, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, where participants presented their projects through a formal presentation and live demonstration. Each team faced questions from the judges, which included SP Rahul Gupta and experts from the IT industry, based on the solutions they developed. The team was asked about handling VIP route management, which was demonstrated to the judges, showcasing its capabilities in ensuring efficient and secure routing during events.
Faculty in-charge: Asst. Prof. Annette Santimano and Asst. Prof. Deepti Kulkarni from the Department of Computer Science.
Expected Outcome of the Activity
The Goa Police Hackathon 2024 had a significant impact, showcasing the innovative digital solutions created by students to improve police operations and public safety. The 48-hour event fostered social responsibility and technical skills, allowing students to address real-world law enforcement challenges. It strengthened the collaboration between students and law enforcement, encouraging tech-savvy individuals to contribute to community-focused, technology-driven solutions, ultimately helping create a safer, more efficient society.
