'Mansarovar yatra to be conducted on the lines of Char Dham pilgrimage'

The annual yatra to Mansarovar will be conducted on the lines of the Char Dham pilgrimage and the issue of creating proper infrastructure facilities on this route will be taken up effectively with the Centre, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said on Wednesday.

Giving an assurance to representatives of Ran Welfare Organisation, Rawat said a detailed road map is being prepared to develop Om Parvat and Chhota Kailash en route Mansarovar for the convenience of the pilgrims. "The Centre will be requested to complete pending road projects Mansarovar route and the border areas on a priority basis," said Rawat.

"The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) which is constructing roads in the border areas has been asked to speed up its operations and complete the projects soon," he told the RWA delegation, adding, "the matter will be taken up effectively with the Centre if need be."

Rans are a sub-caste of the Bhutia tribe which inhabit the yatra route located partially in both Uttarakhand and in Tibet. Pithoragarh, through which the route to Mansarovar pass, is a border district which is strategically very important and creation of proper infrastructure facilities there is essential.

"The state government has released Rs 25 crore to expedite building of roads in the region and issued directives to Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam to boost tourism activities in Dharchula, Munsyari and Pithoragarh," said Rawat.