Agra gears up for summit

Local residents are unhappy about restrictions

By BBC News Online's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi

An unprecedented security blanket has been thrown around the north Indian city of Agra for the summit between India and Pakistan.

Hundreds of security men can be seen patrolling the city, which is home to the Taj Mahal.

This is tighter than the security when President Clinton visited Agra last year

Agra resident Mukesh

The Taj has been shut down during the weekend when thousands of tourists visit the 17th century marble mausoleum.

Local residents are already complaining about restrictions on their movements.

Armed policemen have been deployed around the Taj as well as around the hotels hosting the two leaders, and police boats can be seen patrolling the Yamuna river.

Police with bullet-proof vests have lined the streets and the banks of the river and squads of police sniffer dogs have been brought into Agra.

"This is tighter than the security even was when President Clinton visited Agra last year," local resident Mukesh said.

Reports say Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is being guarded by his normal team of Pakistani bodyguards with Indian commandos on the periphery.

Clean up

Hundreds of workers have given the city a major face-lift, repairing roads and cleaning streets.

The gardens are being spruced up

Shops and houses along the road from the airport have been painted pink and trees are being planted along the road.

"Every time there is a major event here the normally lazy municipal authorities work themselves into a frenzy," Agra resident Suresh Kumar said.

"I hope it lasts a bit longer this time," he added.

But the people of Agra also have something to rejoice about.

Summer temperatures in the city can hit 40C and with frequent power breakdowns life can become unbearable.

But the city administration has been ordered to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during the summit.

Media presence

Along with numerous delegates, there is an unprecedented media presence with some 1,000 media persons attending the summit.

Hotels are bursting at the seams and many television channels have set up temporary studios on hotel roofs overlooking the Taj Mahal.

A large international presence is expected among the media, and a team of more than 70 Pakistani journalists arrived in Delhi on Wednesday.