Pilgrim soon able to visit Kailash-Mansarovar in cars, as the border road from Gatiabagar to Lipulekh is all ready to get upgraded into a metal one, a project that is going to cost INR 60 crore. This was announced by Minster Ajay Bhatt.
The Kailash-Mansarovar yatra is open every year between June to September, and pilgrims have the option to choose between two routes. One goes through Uttarakhand’s Lipulekh Pass, while the other goes through Sikkim’s Nathu La Pass. Mount Kailash holds special significance for Hindus as it is the abode of Lord Shiva.
The announcement for this new road was made by Bhatt at a religious festival in Pithoragarh district’s Gunji village. The metalled road will not only be helpful for tourists but will also help defence personnel reach border outposts much quicker.
The Minister spoke at the festival, and said, “In the coming days, this area will emerge as the most favoured border tourism destination. The road network at the Indo-China border will also help locals settle in their villages to run homestay and other tourism-related businesses.”
The yatra is however a difficult one, and medical tests are done before allowing pilgrims to go on the tour. It involves high-altitude trekking, and the weather is quite harsh in the region. This has made it hard for many pilgrims to go on the yatra, but all that could change if the road is upgraded.
