Agra gets makeover ahead of Trump's visit. US prez must feel like he's arrived at a festival, says Yogi Adityanath

The day of US President Donald Trump's visit to Agra is almost here, but, the city is still not ready to host the leader of the world's most powerful country.

Agra, which is often referred to as one of the dirtiest tourist destinations in the world, appeared to have lived up to its reputation when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the city recently to review the preparations for Donald Trump's visit.

Infuriated with the clouds of dust rising from the road that goes from the airport to the Taj Mahal, Yogi Adityanath ordered the concerned officials to immediately clean-up the city roads.

The waterlogging on the sides of roads also angered the chief minister who directed that such problems should be dealt with and eradicated permanently from Agra as it is a popular tourist destination and added that "such things put a bad impression in the minds of the tourists".

Yogi Adityanath also ordered a security verification of all the labourers engaged in sprucing up the city's roads before Donald Trump's visit. He instructed the district magistrate to ensure that all labourers are issued Identity cards after police verification and there should be ample police presence on the road leading from the airport to the Taj Mahal.

Yogi Adityanath issued instructions to the local administration to ensure that Donald Trump's welcome in Agra must be like as if he has arrived at a "festival". Agra divisional commissioner told India Today TV that it will be the



administration's efforts that the US president takes home a joyful picture of Agra.

The UP CM explicitly instructed the Agra Municipal Corporation to clear the surroundings of the Taj Mahal off plastic waste, especially 'used water bottles'. He also reviewed the mudpack treatment that is being given to the graves of Shahjahan and Mumtaz Mahal.

A senior police official told media that Trump's 15-km-long route to the Taj Mahal has been broken down into five zones and 20 sectors.

It will take Donald Trump 12-15 minutes to reach the Taj Mahal through this route. Trump's primary security circle will be formed by the US Secret Service, the second circle will be formed by the National Security Guards (NSG) and the third circle will be formed by the local police.

Trump's bulletproof limousine, 'The Beast', has already arrived in Agra by a special flight and this car will be accompanied by 69 other vehicles forming a long cavalcade that will travel from the airport to the Taj Mahal. Out of the 69 vehicles, 14 will belong to the US Secret Service and other agencies.

Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber Secretary Vishal Sharma welcomed Trump's arrival and said that although the tourism business will be slightly inconvenienced by the US President's arrival as all city tours on that day have been cancelled, however, he also said that overall, the positive publicity of Trump's visit to the Taj Mahal will have benefits that will far outweigh the momentary losses it'll cause.