Taj Mahal all set to welcome Donald Trump

Taj Mahal all set to welcome Donald Trump

Agra:The dry and polluted river Yamuna at the rear of the Taj Mahal is the biggest worry for the Uttar Pradesh administration engaged in organising a grand welcome to US President Donald Trump, his wife Melania and delegation members who will arrive at the Kheria airport on 24 February.

When Donald Trump visits the Taj Mahal, what would be the primary likely question that he could ask -- "Is the Taj Mahal yellowing due to pollution? Is this a river or a sewage drain?"

The senior authorities are getting ready to answer these questions to present a positive profile of the state and union government that claims to have addressed the twin problem of river pollution and air pollution.

Learning from past experience, particularly the visit to the city by the then US President Bill Clinton, who is accepted to have called Agra a "ghost city", as the streets and the main Mall road were sealed and cleaned to present a deserted look, the district authorities have decided to line up students with flags on both sides of the road during the Donald Trump visit.

At several points stages will be erected for local artistes to display cultural programmes.

US intelligence agency personnel alongwith senior state authorities have already had a series of interactions. A senior official said more than 5,000 police personnel will arrange the main VIP road from Kheria airport's Ajit Nagar gate to the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal.

A police officer at every 1 metre is the plan. A major part of the main VIP road passes through the Agra Cantonment area. The military police will man this stretch of the road.

Houses and shops have been listed. Till Sunday evening credentials of more than 3,000 houses and shops had been checked. The municipal corporation of Agra has mobilized an army of 'safai karamcharies' and anti encroachment demolition squad comprising retired soldiers.

Over the last 2 days, the squad has been demolishing all ramps and encroachments on the Fatehabad road. Hoardings and sign boards have been removed causing anger and heart burns.

The ones at the recieving end of the sudden action have protested but nothing much has come of it because of the presence of security forces.

Road signals on the Mall Road have been repainted and statues on the roundabouts cleaned. Houses and Shops are being white-washed. The colour is off white and cream to give a fresh ambience and also to take the sheen off the yellowing question on the Mughal mausoleum.

The state Horticulture Department is sprucing up trees lining the road and painting the tree guards.

A review meeting is scheduled on 18 February, to be chaired by Yogi Adityanath Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, who is leaving no stone unturned to present a dynamic image of the state.

A major cleanliness drive continues on the VIP road with hundreds of municipal workers removing garbage dumps.

The VVIP fleet will head from the airport to the hotel Amar Vilas close to the Taj Mahal. The presidential party will then take a ride on electric buses and battery operated golf carts.

The president is relied upon to come back to New Delhi around 6.30 pm.

A five-layered security system will be in operation, with sending of over 800 commandos.

A senior district official said shops and houses along the way were being listed, alongwith hotels and guest houses. At 60 odd points there will be roof-top security.

The annual Taj Mahotsava at the Shilpgram will remain Shut for a day.

After Eisenhower and Bill Clinton, Donald Trump will be the 3rd US President to visit the Taj Mahal, the 17th century monument of love.

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