Obamas to take a chopper ride from airport to INS Shikra before taking the limousine to the Taj; no snipers in surrounding buildings.
US president Barack Obama has a couple of official visits lined up on November 6, but his wife Michelle has none. So, the police are expecting some last-minute changes in plans.
Obama and his wife are scheduled to reach the city at 11.50am on November 6. They would then take a chopper ride to INS Shikra at Colaba. From there, they would travel in Obama’s limousine to the Taj, an officer said.
The officer is part of the team working on Obama’s itinerary. The US president is also scheduled to visit Mani Bhavan and Hotel Trident on the same day.
“According to the itinerary of the US officials, Michelle Obama has no official visits on November 6; so, we have no idea if she would visit some place on her own,” the officer said.
“They will visit Holy Name School and St Xavier’s College on November 7. After the visits, they will reach INS Shikra by road and take a chopper ride back to the airport. They would board a flight to Delhi at 1.45pm.”
Another officer said that the USS Peleliu, an aircraft carrier, has reached the Indian waters.
“The ship has several aircraft, which can take off at short notice in case of an emergency,” he said. “At least 25 vehicles of Obama’s convoy have reached the city. Supriya Yadav, deputy commissioner of the Mumbai police, would lead the convoy.”
The officer said that at least 35 US Marines will stay in the fifth floor of the Taj. The sixth floor of the old Taj building has been booked for Obama and his wife.
Sniper fear
The Mumbai police did not let the US security officials to take over South Mumbai, especially the area around Taj, during Obama’s visit because they are worried that the US officials who are not familiar with the local ways might create unnecessary problem for local people.
The city police have denied the US to station snipers in nearby buildings. “We’ve told them that snipers won’t be allowed,” the officer said.
“Nobody is permitted near Obama; if anybody tries to enter the sanitised zone, he/she is immediately attacked by the security. We cannot take the risk of jeopardising anyone’s life; the Mumbai police would safeguard the entire area around the Taj and other places where Obama is expected to visit.”
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