US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump will arrive for a two-day India visit on February 24th, 2020. Preparations are going on to accord a grand welcome to the Trumps in Ahmedabad in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state Gujarat.
On Thursday, Donald Trump’s official helicopter–‘Marine One’ landed at Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat. The ‘Globe Master’ aircraft carrying American sniffer dogs, fire safety system, spy camera and gear for marine commandos also landed at the Airport for the US President’s protection.
As per media reports Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri will be the minister in waiting for US President Donald Trump’s visit to India. He is slated to accompany US President during the visit.
Travel itinerary
On February 24th, the Trumps will land at the Ahmedabad International Airport and from there they will go on a 22 km roadshow all the way to the Sabarmati ashram amid tight security. Afterwards, they will head towards the Motera stadium– the biggest cricket stadium in the world. He will take part in the ‘Namaste Trump’ event specially organised for him.
On the second day, Trump is slated to visit the Taj Mahal and from Agra, they will head to Delhi and pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi at the Raj Ghat. After that reports claim that Trump will hold bilateral talks with Modi at Hyderabad house. He will also hold business meetings with delegates at the US Embassy.
The US President told the media that a major trade deal could be possible during his Delhi visit ahead of the Presidential elections in November this year. “We’re doing a very big trade deal with India. I don’t know if it’ll be done before the election, but we’ll have a very big deal with India.” Trump was quoted as saying.
India’s Gift to Modi
A spinning wheel, two books on the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi and a portrait during his visit to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad awaits Trump on February 24.
He will be accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the ashram located along the banks of the Sabarmati river. He will be the first US president to visit the ashram.
It was from his base here that Gandhi led the Dandi march also known as the Salt Satyagraha.
Cost Of Trump’s Ahmedabad Visit
The state government is reported to spend around Rs 100 crore for Trump’s high profile Ahmedabad visit. Reports said that around Rs 80 crore will be spent on resurfacing and constructing new roads along Trump’s route to present India on a better note.
Around Rs, 3.7 crores will be spent to deck up Chimmanbhai Patel Bridge to Zundel Circle and up to Motera with exotic flowers.
Two proposals have been approved for the beautification of roads – one from Chimanbhai Patel Bridge to Motera stadium and another stretch from Chimanbhai Patel Bridge to Zundel Circle.
A third proposal has also been approved, to have adequate lighting, water and urinals at the venue.
Apart from this, Rs 12-15 crore will be spent on Trump’s security, Rs 7-10 crore for transportation and refreshments of guests at Motera stadium and Rs 6 crore for the beautification of the city.
Donald Trump expects 10 million turnouts in Ahmedabad
Trump has recently claimed that he has been told by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that 10 million people are expected to turn in Ahmedabad when he lands in India even the estimated population of Ahmedabad is 7 million.
“Prime Minister Modi said we will have 10 million people to greet you. Here’s my problem, we have a packed house. We have a lot of people, thousands of people who couldn’t get in. It’s going to look like peanuts from now on. I’ll never be satisfied with the crowd if we have 10 million in India,” the US President said at the rally in the US.
Photo Credit: CNBC.com
