Fourteen years later, when his Democrat successor Barack Obama will visit the Taj, he is likely to see a similar scenario. Administrative and officials have decided to completely shut the route which Obama will take to travel from the Air Force base to the Taj Mahal.
According to information, no one would be allowed to even stand outside their house premises located on the eight emergency routes earmarked for Obama's entourage on January 27. Police will also ensure that not a single window remains open during the time on these areas till the time Obama does not leave the city.
The official letter issued by the US security agencies says that Obama will be arriving in Agra at Kheria airport (Air Force base) at 2pm. He will go to Taj Mahal by car. His stay in the city is scheduled for 60 minutes. Though the plan says that he will arrive here via air-route, but in case there is fog, he might take the Yamuna Expressway.
A former official, who was deputed at Agra's ASI headquarters on the Mall Road during 2000, recalled that except for police personnel, there was not a single person who could be seen on the entire stretch from the airport to the Taj Mahal. "As the headquarters fell on the route, even we were told to keep all the doors closed and sit inside the office. It was a complete lock down in the city during the entire time Clinton was here," he added.
ASI officials said even though a decision has been taken to keep the Taj open till 9am on January 27, when Obama comes here, this plan could be dropped at the last minute. "It takes a lot of time to take all the visitors out of the Taj Mahal complex. Most likely, Taj will be closed before the stipulated time or visitors would not be allowed inside altogether," he added.
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