AGRA,Jan 20:
The city of Taj is fast converting into a fortress with US secret service sleuths taking over the reign of the security for the proposed visit of US president Barak Obama here on January 27.
A 40-member advance team of the US secret service, who swooped down on the city yesterday to take stock of arrangements ahead of President Obama’s visit to the Taj Mahal continue to assess the security for the second day today.
The team members visited the Taj Mahal and met senior officials, the district administration yesterday and have asked the authorities to turn the city into a virtual fortress for the high-profile visit.
Another advance team from US will reach here on January 23, who will finalise the schedule and other itinerary of the US president.
Police sources here today said that an extensive security drill would start from tomorrow and will remain in place till the US president departs.
Over 15 companies of the PAC, requisitioned to bolster security in the city, will start arriving in Agra from today. A massive checking drive would be initiated at all entry points to Agra and inter-state borders will be sealed two days before Obama arrives.
US sleuths have already started installation equipments at sensitive places while they would be setting up a control room near Taj Mahal.
The Yamuna Expressway – which connects Delhi and Agra – would probably shut down for a day while the president is in the city. A senior police official said that the US team had in fact sought the closure of the Yamuna Expressway for three days but their request had been turned down.
‘We told them that it is not possible to close a national highway for three consecutive days. However, we will consider shutting it for a day,’official said.
The shutting of the expressway is part of a contingency plan being kept ready by the president’s handlers in case bad weather prevents him from travelling by air. Flights to Agra will also be curtailed during Obama’s visit and traffic restrictions would be in place on the route that his convoy takes, officials added.
Security at the Taj Mahal, the president’s primary destination, would be mainly controlled by the US secret service. Multi-tier security cover would be in place during the visit and only the US secret agencies officials would be allowed in the Red zone.
All the rooms of the Five star hotel Oberoi Amar Vilas have been booked for two days on January 26 and 27 where the US president and his family members would refresh themselves during their visit. The visitors would be able to have a glimpse of Taj from their royal Kohinoor suite.
As per the schedule US president is likely stay in Agra for two hours and his visit to Taj would be for around 25 minutes. A panel of five expert guides have also been forwarded by the Archeological Survey of India(ASI) who would be assisting the dignitaries to know about the importance of the tomb. District police officials said that they would be providing logistical support by setting up a special control room near the monument.
In fact, there is also a possibility, police officials said, that the Taj would be off-limits to visitors throughout the day the US president is due to visit although ASI officials claimed they had not received any instructions on this till now. (UNI)
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