Uttarakhand Chief Secretary reviews preparations for Kailash-Mansarovar yatra

DEHRADUN: The first batch of Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims will arrive in Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand on June 12 even as Chief Secretary Shatrughna Singh reviewed preparations for the annual yatra.

Singh held a review meeting with officials of Kumaun Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), the nodal agency which conducts the yatra, via video-conferencing yesterday evening, a release here said.

The first batch of pilgrims will arrive at Lipulekh Pass via Almora, Dharchula, Sirkha, Gala, Boodi and Gunji through which it will enter Tibet.

The pilgrims will be accompanied up to Lipulekh Pass on India-Tibet border by police and SDRF personnel, besides a team of doctors.

All communication facilities will be provided to devotees through the high-altitude journey, it said, adding a proposal to provide satellite phones to the pilgrims is also under consideration.

Helicopters will also be kept ready to evacuate people to safety in case of an emergency.