Have you ever imagined an entire district powered by artificial intelligence?

For most people, AI is associated with big cities, technology companies and futuristic innovations. But India’s first AI-powered district emerged not from a metropolitan hub, but from the coastal district of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra. 

On 1 May, 2025, Sindhudurg became the country’s first AI-enabled district, marking a major step in technology-driven governance. At the heart of this transformation was IPS officer Krushikesh Rawale, who played a key role in implementing the AI District initiative and integrating AI into everyday governance.

A vision beyond digital governance

The idea behind the AI Sindhudurg model was simple: use technology not just to respond to problems, but to predict, monitor and prevent them. Developed in partnership with technology company MARVEL, the initiative brought artificial intelligence into multiple government departments instead of limiting it to a single use case. The aim was to make governance faster, smarter and more responsive to citizens’ needs.

What made the project stand out was its scale. AI was introduced across several sectors, creating an ecosystem where different departments could use data and technology to........

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