Obama's Visit to Mumbai to Cost $200 Million a Day

It will be worth it if he defects. Will Bo, the family dog, have his own plane, or is that just for his trips to the Cape?

From CatholicOnline

When U.S. President Barack Obama visits Mumbai, the most populous City in India, it will cost a whopping $200 million a day. The majority of the expenses will go towards security.

"The huge amount of around $200 million would be spent on security, stay and other aspects of the Presidential visit," a top official of the Maharashtra Government, who had access to information about the arrangements for the high-profile visit said.

About 3,000 people, including Secret Service agents, U.S. government officials and journalists will accompany the President. Several officials from the White House and U.S. security agencies have already been in Mumbai for the past week with helicopters, a ship and high-end security instruments.

"Except for personnel providing immediate security to the President, the U.S. officials may not be allowed to carry weapons. The state police [are] competent to take care of the security measures and they would be piloting the Presidential convoy," the official said on condition of anonymity.

The Navy and Air Force have been asked by the state government to increase patrols along the Mumbai coastline and airspace during the president's stay. The city's airspace will be closed half-an-hour before the President's arrival for all aircraft barring those carrying the U.S. delegation.

The personnel from SRPF, Force One, besides the NSG contingent stationed here would be roped in for the President's security, the official said.

The area from Hotel Taj, where Obama and his wife Michelle will stay, to the Shikra helipad in Colaba would be cordoned off completely during the president's stay.