Security drill conducted in Mumbai ahead of Obama's visit

An elaborate security drill involving nearly 5,000 US and Indian personnel was conducted today at different venues and routes that are on the itinerary of US President Barack Obama who will be visiting the city over the week-end.

The large-scale rehearsal by gun-toting NSG and Force One commandos was carried out at the venues Obama would visit and the routes his convoy would take, deputy police commissioner (operations) Rajkumar Vatkar said.

"The purpose of this rehearsal is to find out the loopholes in the security system. The policemen on the ground have been told where they would be deployed and what would be their duty," he said.

"The US security personnel and Indian Intelligence agencies also participated in the rehearsal," the DCP added.

The dry run of police vehicles that would accompany Obama's convoy was also carried out, police sources said, adding choppers were also flown.

According to the final itinerary available with Mumbai Police, Air Force One is scheduled to land at the airport at 12pm on November 6, after which Obama will fly to INS Shikra in a chopper, before moving to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. He is expected to leave Mumbai at 1.30pm the next day.

During the drill, the policemen were told about possible emergency situation and their response time was checked, sources said.

The vehicles were taken to different venues such as Mani Bhavan, St Xavier's college, Mumbai University, Taj Hotel and Trident that are on the itinerary of the President, the sources said.