MUMBAI/NEW DELHI, Nov 3 � Extraordinary steps like getting coconuts removed from trees at one venue were taken by authorities in Mumbai, as unprecedented security measures were put in place ahead of US President Barack Obama�s visit starting on Saturday, reports PTI.
An elaborate security drill involving US secret service agents, personnel from different Indian intelligence agencies and NSG commandos was planned for tomorrow in Mumbai which will be the first port of call for Obama.
Besides Mumbai Police, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force personnel, US Air Traffic Control personnel will also hone their skills.
A similar exercise will also be carried out in Delhi on Friday to finetune security arrangements in the national capital during Obama�s visit on the second leg of his India trip.
In Mumbai, authorities at Mani Bhavan did not want to take the risk of seeing coconuts fall on the head of the American president and asked the local civic body to cut down branches and coconuts from the trees around the museum. Mahatma Gandhi, whom Obama greatly admires, used to stay at the Bhavan during his visits to the city,
�We requested the ward officer to remove the branches as they kept falling and coconuts had become dry. We thought it would be better to get them removed,� Mani Bhavan Executive Secretary, Meghshyam Ajgaonkar told PTI, apparently not wanting to take a chance when Obama comes calling.
Following the request, civic workers from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) yesterday swung into action and removed them. Mani Bhavan is among the five places where Obama will be visiting during his stay in Mumbai. Taj and Trident Hotels, St Xavier�s College and Holy Name School are the other places. Obama is also likely to use a helicopter to travel between Mumbai�s Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport and the city during his visit to the metropolis.
Sources said as the airport is located at a distance, security agencies would not like to take any chance and were advising the use of a chopper by Obama for travel between the airport and the city.
A helipad located in South Mumbai is also getting renovated and being sanitised for the use of the US President. All high rise buildings in the vicinity of Mumbai�s Taj Mahal hotel, Delhi�s Maurya Sheraton hotel, where the US President stay, will be sanitised and security personnel will guard them from rooftop to prevent any air borne attack.
The Mumbai coastline will be guarded by Indian Navy personnel while IAF fighter jets and helicopters will hover in the skies over both the cities. The ridge area � opposite Delhi�s Maurya Sheraton hotel �has been illuminated by floodlights as part of the heightened security drill, officials said. � PTI
