Jaipur, Feb 22 In the wake of US President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to India, a special aircraft of the US Army landed at the Jaipur Airport on Saturday at around 9.30 a.m. to review security arrangements on ground. It returned after an hour at around 10.30 a.m.
Official sources at the airport has confirmed that if the weather is poor in Delhi, then Jaipur Airport shall be the first option for US President's landing. He will then fly to Ahmedabad for the 'Namaste Trump' event.
Trump is scheduled to arrive in India for a two-day visit on Monday.
US Secret Service personnel were present in the special aircraft, who took stock of the security arrangements here. The aircraft carried several necessary equipment which might be required during Trump's landing here.
"It's true that US officials have kept their equipment here at the airport, but we have limitations and can't reveal more as this is a secret exercise," confirmed an official.
Official sources said that Trump might land in Jaipur in a highly customised Boeing 747-200B series aircraft and the equipment required for the Air Force One plane are not available at the Jaipur airport. That's a resosn the US Air Force Cargo C-17 aircraft reached Jaipur with the necessary equipment required for ground landing.
There are possibilities of another plane landing here on Sunday, confirmed Jaipur airport officials, which might stay here till the time Trump reaches India.
The Jaipur airport has been readies as the first alternative in case weather plays spoilsport in Delhi, officials said.
It needs to be furnished here US Embassy officials took stock of the security measures at the airport.
A three-member team from the US Embassy visited the Jaipur airport last Monday, followed by another visit by a four-member team on Tuesday to check the infrastructure and other facilities.
Airport officials said that they have been asked to remain on alert mode on February 23 and 24.
( With inputs from IANS )