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This article was first published 13 years ago

Fortress Mumbai

Last updated on: November 6, 2010 12:48 IST

Image: Cops check a taxi
Photographs: Satish Bodas/Rediff.com
Mumbai has turned into a fortress as security personnel took their positions with a massive three dimensional security -- land, air and water -- put in place for the US President Barack Obama's two day visit beginning from Saturday.

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Fortress Mumbai

Image: Paramilitary forces keep vigil
Photographs: Satish Bodas/Rediff.com
Nearly 5,000 security personnel, including US security men, Indian Intelligence officials and elite commandos have been deployed in south Mumbai alone as all venues on the itinerary of the POTUS fall in this region, police said.

Fortress Mumbai

Image: Cops search a bike
Photographs: Satish Bodas/Rediff.com
"The security system is in place. All security personnel took their positions today itself. Till the time Obama leaves the city, every policeman would follow the instructions issued to them," said Deputy Police Commissioner (Operations) Rajkumar Vatkar.

Fortress Mumbai

Image: The scene outside INS Shikra
Photographs: Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com

On Friday, a large-scale rehearsal by US and Indian personnel, including gun-toting NSG and Force One commandos, was carried out at the venues Obama would visit and the routes his convoy would take.

Air Force One landed at the airport at 12:50 pm on November 6. Obama will fly to INS Shikra in a chopper, before moving on to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.


Fortress Mumbai

Image: The road leading Nariman House is barricaded
Photographs: Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com
The US choppers are surveying the seashore. Indian Navy and Coast guard officials have stationed their ships off the shores of Mumbai to secure the coastline even as the warships, including US Navy's Peleliu, an amphibious assault ship, carrying choppers, are in Indian waters off the Mumbai harbour.

Fortress Mumbai

Image: The scene outside INS Shikra
Photographs: Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com
A massive convoy of Presidential vehicles have been brought here in aircrafts, police said. Eleven roads close to the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel, where Obama will be staying during his visit, will remain closed from Saturday 0600 hours till 1600 hours the next day, police said.

The area from Taj to Shikra helipad would be cordoned off completely during the movement of the President. The roads to be used for the President's convoy, will not be available for regular vehicular movements till the time the entourage passes off.