New Delhi: As a pro-active measure, an alternate road route to Agra is being secured in case US President Obama's jet fails to take off due to bad weather or any other reason.
This alternate road, fully sanitized and secured beforehand, will be kept as an emergency backup for his Taj visit.
The emergency measures, if required will be kicked only an hour before his scheduled departure by air.
During this time, the highway will be closed to normal traffic and a beeline of security personnel will act as the protective sheath before his visit on the highway.
There has been no terror alerts from either US or any other Indian agency in the last one week.
However, the same is expected in Jammu and Kashmir as some terrorists are awaiting to enter LoC from 8-9 distinct positions during his visit.
Earlier also, when US President Bill Clinton visited India in 2000, suspected Laskar-e-Taiba militants killed 36 Sikhs at Chittisinghpura village of Anantpura district of J&K.
Apart from this, several other security measures are being taken for Obama's security. Government offices in the vicinity of Rajpath - including Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Block, South Block, Shastri Bhavan, Krishi Bhavan, Rail Bhavan, etc — will be shut down early at 13.00 pm on January 25.
A senior officer involved in the security arrangements of the US President told Times of India that around half a dozen anti-aircraft guns will be deployed in vicinity of the parade area. Also, around 20-21 sniper rifles are likely to be in position on January 26.
Reportedly, the issues to be discussed during Obama's visit will be the exchange of information on each other's terror lists and a pact foreseeing cooperation in tackling fake Indian currency notes.
