The Taj Mahal will be made exclusively available to President Obama.
Agra:
When President Barack Obama visits Agra to tour the Taj Mahal, he may stop at the five-star hotel where Pervez Musharraf stayed when he travelled to the city as Pakistan's president in 2001 for the summit with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.
Officials in Agra told NDTV that the presidential suite at the Amar Vilas hotel has been booked for the VVIP guest, and examined and cleared by the Secret Service Agents who have arrived in Agra to inspect arrangements ahead of President Obama's January 27 visit.
On the 26th, the US leader will become the first US president to serve as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi which are centred on a massive military parade. On the 27th, he will address about 1,500 people in a townhall in Delhi. He will then fly on Air Force One from Delhi to Agra. The plane will land at the Indian Air Force base in Agra, where the runway is large enough to accommodate the world's most sophisticated Jumbo Jet.
It's not clear yet if the President will then drive to the Taj in his heavily-armored limousine, nicknamed "the Beast", or use a helicopter to land near the monument. If he decides to use the Beast, all roads leading to anywhere near the Taj will be sealed, said local officials to NDTV.
The Beast, said sources, is unlikely to be driven from Delhi to Agra; it could be transported in the special plane that ferries it around.
The Taj Mahal will be made exclusively available to President Obama. The monument will shut down for the public but timings have yet to be shared by officials.
Over 5000 policemen will be on duty for security during Obama's visit to Agra. Black cat commandos will be deployed along the route from the airport to the Taj Mahal. In addition, there will be about 100 members of the American security force. Agra Police Commissioner Pradeep Bhatnagar, told NDTV, "It is unprecedented security as President Obama is said to be the world's most important person."
While President Obama is in Agra, it will be a no-fly zone for commercial airlines.
He will fly out of Delhi on the 27th.
Officials in Agra told NDTV that the presidential suite at the Amar Vilas hotel has been booked for the VVIP guest, and examined and cleared by the Secret Service Agents who have arrived in Agra to inspect arrangements ahead of President Obama's January 27 visit.
On the 26th, the US leader will become the first US president to serve as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi which are centred on a massive military parade. On the 27th, he will address about 1,500 people in a townhall in Delhi. He will then fly on Air Force One from Delhi to Agra. The plane will land at the Indian Air Force base in Agra, where the runway is large enough to accommodate the world's most sophisticated Jumbo Jet.
It's not clear yet if the President will then drive to the Taj in his heavily-armored limousine, nicknamed "the Beast", or use a helicopter to land near the monument. If he decides to use the Beast, all roads leading to anywhere near the Taj will be sealed, said local officials to NDTV.
The Beast, said sources, is unlikely to be driven from Delhi to Agra; it could be transported in the special plane that ferries it around.
The Taj Mahal will be made exclusively available to President Obama. The monument will shut down for the public but timings have yet to be shared by officials.
Over 5000 policemen will be on duty for security during Obama's visit to Agra. Black cat commandos will be deployed along the route from the airport to the Taj Mahal. In addition, there will be about 100 members of the American security force. Agra Police Commissioner Pradeep Bhatnagar, told NDTV, "It is unprecedented security as President Obama is said to be the world's most important person."
While President Obama is in Agra, it will be a no-fly zone for commercial airlines.
He will fly out of Delhi on the 27th.
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