Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: Two acclimatisation centres coming up along Nathu La route

HOMNATH DABARI

GANGTOK, : The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, suspended for five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to resume in 2025, with preparations along the Sikkim route progressing rapidly.

The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, has announced that the pilgrimage will take place between June and August 2025.The Yatra will be facilitated via two routes: Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.

According to an official statement, five groups of 50 pilgrims each will travel through Lipulekh, while 10 groups of 50 pilgrims each will undertake the journey via Nathu La.

Following the announcement, the Sikkim government has accelerated infrastructure development along the Nathu La route. Pilgrims are required to undergo high-altitude acclimatisation before the journey, and to support this, two acclimatisation centres are being established between Gangtok and Nathu La. These facilities, located at the 16th Mile on JN Road and near Hangu Lake, approximately four kilometres below the Nathu La border, will each accommodate over 50 pilgrims.

The 16th Mile centre is nearing completion and is expected to be handed over to the Tourism department within the next five to six days, as per site in-charge Sunil Kumar.

The suspension of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and India-China border trade via Nathu La had adversely affected East Sikkim’s economy. The Yatra’s revival has sparked optimism among locals.

Former panchayat member IK Rasaily, who undertook the Yatra via Nathu La in 2017, welcomed the decision, expressing hope that it would also revive border trade and boost the local economy.

The JN Road route to Kailash Mansarovar passes through Kabi-Lungchok and Gnathang-Machong constituencies.

Following the announcement, Kabi-Lungchok MLA Thinley Tshering Bhutia inspected the ongoing infrastructure work along JN Road on Saturday. Accompanied by local officials, including the Block Development Officer and Forest Department representatives, the MLA stressed the urgent need for toilet facilities and other amenities for pilgrims. He thanked Chief Minister PS Golay for securing approval for the route and expressed confidence that the resumption of the Yatra and border trade would bring significant economic benefits to Sikkim.