KOLKATA, Feb 15:
The first batch of 50 Indian pilgrims to take the new route via Nathula in Sikkim to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibetan Autonomous Region will cross over on June 21.
The 14,400 feet high Nathula, the pass at the Indo-China border in east Sikkim, will be formally opened for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra tentatively on June 20 and pilgrims would be allowed to move through it a day later, Sikkim Tourism and Civil Aviation Secretary C Zangpo said.
“The batch of 50 pilgrims will be accompanied by five support staff and one liaison official. Things have progressed at a very fast pace for this alternative route. Both the Centre and the Sikkim government are prepared to handle the pilgrims,” he said.
The dates were finalised at a recent meeting chaired by state Chief Secretary R Ongmu at Gangtok.
Tourism officials said online bookings for application for the pilgrimage will be done through the website of the Ministry of External Affairs from February 22.
The Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) has been entrusted to carry out and coordinate the yatra within the state.
China will guide the pilgrims on its side, officials said.
Being motorable, the Nathula route is considered an easier route compared to the existing ones through Nepal and Uttarakhand which involve long treks in between.
The new route will allow pilgrims to be driven all along, travelling first from Gangtok in Sikkim to Shigatse in Tibet from where they can take vans and buses on the existing road to Mansarovar and Kailash directly.
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been entrusted to maintain the motorable J N Marg route to Nathula, while the Army would be on standby for eventualities like rescue, relief and rehabilitation in case of landslides or bad weather conditions or emergency situations, STDC officials said.
The Sikkim Government would also seek the support of Air Force and the Defence Ministry for air evacuation in case of any such emergencies and would soon consult the Defence Ministry in detail on this regard.
The officials said Sikkim plans to gradually upgrade its infrastructure to facilitate 1,600 pilgrims to move in ten batches to Kailash-Masarovar.
Pilgrims will have to halt at least for two days in Gangtok and then proceed to 17th Mile and Sherathang for further acclimatisation before they proceed to Shigatse beyond the Tibetan plateau, they added. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel