Security concerns have forced authorities to disable some features on the Hotel Maurya Sheraton website where United States President Barack Obama will stay during his visit to New Delhi beginning November 7.
The management has disabled the "online virtual tour" section on the website, officials said. The virtual tour enables a client to have a look at the facilities provided by the hotel as well as the layout of the rooms. Interestingly, the websites of Maurya Hotels in Bangalore and Agra have the virtual tours running presently.
"Authorities are taking no chance with security measures and we are doing whatever is needed," a senior police official said.
Indian and US agencies were coordinating with each other and the security personnel have taken over the hotel and sanitised it before Obama arrives in the capital on Sunday from Mumbai.
The Maurya Sheraton on New Delhi's Sardar Patel Marg has already been turned into a virtual fortress with multiple rings of security. The hotel will be out of bounds for the public during his stay.
Around 2,000 police and paramilitary personnel will be deployed in and around the hotel, which had earlier hosted US Presidents Bill Clinton in 2000 and George W Bush in 2006 besides US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last year.
Proximity security to Obama will be given by his guards while the other cordons will be manned by personnel from the Delhi police and paramilitary personnel.
Sharp shooters are being deployed on high-rises on the routes which Obama takes to reach his destinations, the official said.
Security agencies are also ensuring foolproof security for US First Lady Michelle Obama, as she is expected to have her own programme during the visit. She is expected to visit some places and attend programmes in the city.
