US President Barack Obama will visit Agra to have a glimpse of the seventh century monument Taj Mahal on January 27. Senior Superintendent of Police in Agra. Rajesh D Rao, confirmed the visit of the US President and his family members on Monday. He, however, said Mr Obama along with his family would bevisiting Taj on January 27 but the actual schedule would be formalised in coming days.
“The authorities along with the US security personnel are holding meetings to finalise the programme,” he confirmed. During the meeting, several decisions were taken including closure of all roads leading to Taj on the day besides monitoring the hotels, guest houses and other places, five days prior to the visit.
Agra Divisional Commissioner, Pradeep Bhatnagar also confirmed the visit of Mr Obama but refused to disclose the details. He said for security reasons the details could not be disclosed to the media. Earlier, there were speculations whether the US president would visit Agra or not during his busy schedule at New Delhi.
Meanwhile, ahead of Obama’s proposed visit to Agra, an advance American teamhold talks on agenda and security-related aspects with the district and police authorities on Monday. The district officials here maintained that the Americans have proposed three-tier security rings apart from their own Secret Service cover for Obama and closure of business establishments near the sites of visit.
American Secret Service personnel, who have landed in Agra, have already conducted a preliminary survey of the routes to be taken by the US President to the Taj Mahal. A multiple-layer security ring will be thrown around Mr Obama with elite Special Protection Group and Secret Services personnel forming a part of the Close Proximity ring, official sources said, adding a radar has been exclusively kept for monitoring air space.
last month a 40-member team had visited Agra to chalkout the initial programme of the US President. According to the schedule, the US president is scheduled to visit Agra on January 27 for just an hour in which he will spend around 20 minutes inside the Taj.