Taj Mahal all set to welcome US President Donald Trump, Melania

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

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

The senior officials are preparing 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, especially the visit to the city by the then US President Bill Clinton, who is believed to have called Agra a "ghost city", as the streets and the main Mall road was sealed and sanitized to present a deserted look, the district authorities have decided to line up students with flags on both sides of the road during the Trump visit.

At several points, stages will be erected for local artistes to present cultural programs.

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

A policeman at every one meter 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 shops and houses 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 two days, the squad has been demolishing all ramps and encroachments on the Fatehabad road. Hoardings and signboards have been removed causing anger and heartburns.

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

Road signals on the Mall Road have been repainted and statues on the roundabouts cleaned. Shops and houses are being white-washed. The colour is off white and cream to give a fresh ambiance 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. (IANS)

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