Mumbai's Colaba ‘sanitized’ for Obama visit

MUMBAI: Clueless about the itinerary of US President Barack Obama, city police have begun searches in over a hundred lodges, guesthouses and paying-guest accommodations to sanitize the area for his November 6-7 visit . Obama will be staying at Hotel Taj Mahal Palace and Towers, Colaba, along with his entourage of security guards and US officials.

The move is significant as the Taj, Nariman House and Cafe Leopold, all located in Colaba, were targeted by the 10 terrorists from Pakistan on November 26, 2008. As many as 18 foreigners, including four US nationals, were killed in the attacks.

Colaba police officials said they were in the process of checking all elements that could cause a law and order problem. ‘‘ We are doing an assessment of over 100 hotels, paying-guest centres, lodges, etc, and checking records of all those staying there,’’ a senior police official said. Though police have not been given any security plan yet, all precautionary measures were in place, and occupants of lodges and hotels paying in cash would be thoroughly scrutinized, he added. Police have also started meeting guesthouse owners and will issue security guidelines. All foreigners visiting the area will be monitored.

Sources said the entire Taj has been booked for the president and his staff. ‘‘ There are around two dozen small hotels and guesthouses around the hotel. We may ask the guesthouse owners to keep photocopies of all documents provided by a visitor. We don’t want to take any chance,’’ an official said, adding that police may ask the guesthouse owners to install CCTV cameras on all roads leading to the Taj.

Meanwhile, city police chief Sanjeev Dayal said he was unaware of Obama’s itinerary . ‘‘ We have not been told anything about the places Obama will be visiting, the route he will use etc,’’ Dayal said, adding that Mumbai police did not even know whether Obama would use a helicopter or car to travel from airport to Taj hotel. However, a state government official said the US president would be taking the road.