Preparations for new Kailash pilgrimage route in place: China

BEIJING: China is pressing ahead with preparations to open the new second Kailash Manasarovar Yatra road route to Indian pilgrims on June 22 despite difficulties caused by the recent devastating earthquake in Nepal which has badly affected the border regions in Tibet.

"While coping with the earthquake and despite the difficulties, relevant authorities of China are pressing ahead with the preparation work for opening the route in a well-organised way," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in an e-mail response here.

The first batch of the pilgrims was expected to travel through the new land route through Nathu La in Sikkim on June 22.

Several Indian and Chinese officials were expected to take part in the event.

The April 25 devastating earthquake in Nepal has also caused havoc in the border regions of Tibet with heavy landslides and house collapses.

Eighteen people were killed in Tibet and dozens injured in the quake.

The damage caused by the earthquake has earlier created uncertainty about this year's Kailash pilgrimage.

However, China said preparations for the new route were made keeping up with the schedule.