Preliminary meeting regarding conduct held...KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA

EOI, PR, Gangtok, 26 September 2014: A preliminary meeting to work out the logistics, time frame and other matters relating to preparedness of the Government of Sikkim with regard to alternate route through Nathula to conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was held at the conference hall of Secretariat, here in the capital, today. The meeting Chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Shri S.C.Gupta was attended by the representatives of UD & HD, Commerce and Industries Department, Tourism Department, Roads and Bridges and Additional District Collector / East.

It may be mentioned here that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China on opening a new route for Indian Pilgrimage (Kailash Mansarovar Yatra) to the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China on 18th September 2014 during the State visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to India.

The interactive meeting deliberated on various issues pertaining to Nathula Trade Route and available infrastructure, road condition in the context of the proposed new route. It also discussed on the requirement of acclimatization center for the pilgrims visiting Kailash Mansoravar. The meeting took note that the new development should not be taken into isolation but has to be a part of the holistic integrated plan.