Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has told the Parliament that by December 2023, Indian citizens will be able to travel to Kailash Mansarovar without passing through China or Nepal. He has told that a road is being built through Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand which will go directly to Mansarovar. He has further said that after the preparation of this path, not only will the time be cut, but the difficult path will also become much easier than before.
Gadkari has told about this route in Parliament that there have been difficulties in preparing the way there, but we have been transported machines through fighter jets and helicopters even in -5 degree Celsius. 85 percent of the work on this entire route has been completed. This route will be completed by December 2023. Let us tell you that the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage has religious significance for the people of Jain and Buddhist religions not only of Hindus.
Where is Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar?
Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are located in the Nagari region of Tibet. Devotees believe that Shiva resides here. Mansarovar Lake is considered important because people believe that deities bathe in this lake. Every year lakhs of people reach this holy place.
At present, the journey to Kailash Mansarovar via Nepal and China takes 15-20 days. This journey is very difficult. Only healthy people can apply for travel here. This area is very sensitive not only due to the height but due to landslides. In 1998, more than 180 people, including famous Odissi dancer Protima Gauri Bedi, died in a landslide during the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar.
Know about the new route of Kailash Mansarovar
The new route from Uttarakhand to Kailash Mansarovar is divided into three sections. The first section is 107.6 kms from Pithoragarh to Tawaghat. The second section is 19.5 kilometer single lane from Tawaghat to Ghatiyabgarh and the third section is 80 kilometer long from Ghatiyabgarh to Lipulekh pass on the China border which can be crossed only on foot. It takes around five days to cover this stretch and is an uphill journey.
The Border Roads Organization (BRO) has now converted Ghatiyabgarh from Tawaghat into a double lane road. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated this new road in May 2021. This new road reduces the journey of five days to two days of road journey thereby saving six days of commuting.
The road from Ghatiyabgarh to Lipulekh is now under construction and is expected to be completed by 2023. The road was approved in 2005 at a cost of Rs 80.76 crore and was modified in 2018 with Rs 439.40 crore.