From Shimla to Udaipur and the 3 hrs in between

With this in mind, officials went back to their earlier plans of holding the meeting either at Raj Vilas in Jaipur or at Neemrana. The latter, however, did not make the cut due to security reasons while other events had already been slotted at Jaipur.

Subsequently, it was a toss-up between Jodhpur and Udaipur but, sources said, Udai Vilas presented itself as a better option. This was worked on and after hectic three hours, it was decided that the venue would be apt for the talks. This, however, meant that security agencies have to work through the night to make it possible for the two PMs to be there by Thursday morning.

In Shimla, officials realised that the visit may have to called off after IAF helicopters could not land at the Kalyani helipad for the second successive day. Then, a few minutes after Chief Secretary S S Parmar finished his meeting with top police officers, word came from Delhi that the visit was off.

‘‘From our side, everything was ready and planned. Unfortunately, the weather did not support us,’’ said Additional Director General (Law and Order) B S Thind.

As per the original schedule, Blair was to reach Shimla at 10.50 am on Thursday for a three-hour stay. PM Manmohan Singh was to have flown in a few minutes earlier.