Mansarovar Yatra to resume via Nathu La from this year: Sushma

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will resume through the Nathu La pass in Sikkim from this year after China reopened the route for Indian pilgrims. China had closed the route last year on account of “security reasons” after the troops of both sides were involved in a standoff in Dokalam Plateau.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday announced about the reopening of the pass during the computerised draw of lots for the selection of pilgrims for the yatra. The four-month travel period to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra starts from June 8.

“I had told Chinese Foreign Ministry that relations between governments cannot prosper until people-to-people relations are improved when the Nathu La pass was closed during last yatra it came as a blow to people.

I am happy to announce that it has now been opened for yatra,” Swaraj said.

Eighteen batches of 60 pilgrims each will take the ardous Lipulekh Pass route, while 10 batches, comprising 50 pilgrims each, will take the Nathu La route.

The Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) route, which involves some trekking, is estimated to cost about Rs 1.6 lakh per person. The route through the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim is motorable and costs about Rs 2 lakh per person.