Conquer Club

US to spend $200 mn a day on Obama's Mumbai visit

Mumbai: The US would be spending a whopping $200 million (Rs. 900 crore approx) per day on President Barack Obama's visit to the city.

"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 privy to the arrangements for the high-profile visit said.

About 3,000 people including Secret Service agents, US government officials and journalists would accompany the President. Several officials from the White House and US security agencies are already here for the past one week with helicopters, a ship and high-end security instruments.

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

Navy and Air Force has been asked by the state government to intensify patrolling along the Mumbai coastline and its airspace during Obama's stay. The city's airspace will be closed half-an-hour before the President's arrival for all aircraft barring those carrying the US 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 would stay, to Shikra helipad in Colaba would be cordoned off completely during the movement of the President.

Obama on Wednesday directly attributed GOP gains to frustration over the economy, declining to sign on to claims that it was a referendum on his decisions.

PLAYER57832 wrote:And how much do we spend per day on security, etc when he stays at home?

2dimes wrote:That's small potatoes for the US&A isn't it?

PLAYER57832 wrote:And how much do we spend per day on security, etc when he stays at home?

strike wolf wrote:

PLAYER57832 wrote:And how much do we spend per day on security, etc when he stays at home?

So you think that his security detail would be more lax when he's in a foreign country?

ViperOverLord wrote:I'm skeptical of that price tag. I'm also skeptical of the 3,000 secret service agents number. If for some reason the price tag is correct then I have to say that is wasteful.

About 3,000 people including Secret Service agents, US government officials and journalists

Phatscotty wrote:

2dimes wrote:That's small potatoes for the US&A isn't it?

not anymore...

strike wolf wrote:

PLAYER57832 wrote:And how much do we spend per day on security, etc when he stays at home?

So you think that his security detail would be more lax when he's in a foreign country?

PLAYER57832 wrote:

strike wolf wrote:

PLAYER57832 wrote:And how much do we spend per day on security, etc when he stays at home?

So you think that his security detail would be more lax when he's in a foreign country?

No, I think that its not 200 million extra. His personnal detail, follows the man. I also think heavy security is rather a necessity for any president. It has to do with representing our country.

That said, it is a lot of money. And, I do wish we could cut back on it.

ViperOverLord wrote:

PLAYER57832 wrote:

strike wolf wrote:

PLAYER57832 wrote:And how much do we spend per day on security, etc when he stays at home?

So you think that his security detail would be more lax when he's in a foreign country?

No, I think that its not 200 million extra. His personnal detail, follows the man. I also think heavy security is rather a necessity for any president. It has to do with representing our country.

That said, it is a lot of money. And, I do wish we could cut back on it.

Again, I don't know that this report is correct. I'm highly skeptical of the 3,000 secret service agents (I doubt that there are that many) and the $200 million tag. I think if the tag is really that high we'll be hearing more substantial reports about it.

ViperOverLord wrote:I'm skeptical of that price tag. I'm also skeptical of the 3,000 secret service agents number. If for some reason the price tag is correct then I have to say that is wasteful.

PLAYER57832 wrote:

ViperOverLord wrote:

PLAYER57832 wrote:

strike wolf wrote:

PLAYER57832 wrote:And how much do we spend per day on security, etc when he stays at home?

So you think that his security detail would be more lax when he's in a foreign country?

No, I think that its not 200 million extra. His personnal detail, follows the man. I also think heavy security is rather a necessity for any president. It has to do with representing our country.

That said, it is a lot of money. And, I do wish we could cut back on it.

Again, I don't know that this report is correct. I'm highly skeptical of the 3,000 secret service agents (I doubt that there are that many) and the $200 million tag. I think if the tag is really that high we'll be hearing more substantial reports about it.

Just did a quick check.. wikke answers says there are 3000 total secret service agents. I won't swear that number is correct, but it does seem highly unlikely 3000 would go with Obama.

Army of GOD wrote:

ViperOverLord wrote:I'm skeptical of that price tag. I'm also skeptical of the 3,000 secret service agents number. If for some reason the price tag is correct then I have to say that is wasteful.

About 3,000 people including Secret Service agents, US government officials and journalists

Army of GOD wrote:

Army of GOD wrote:

ViperOverLord wrote:I'm skeptical of that price tag. I'm also skeptical of the 3,000 secret service agents number. If for some reason the price tag is correct then I have to say that is wasteful.

About 3,000 people including Secret Service agents, US government officials and journalists

Phatscotty wrote:what is the thing Obama is going to see? the festival of lights? what is it called...