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Title: Need to explore an alternative shorter route via Shipki-la-pass for Kailash Mansarovar.
SHRIMATI PRATIBHA SINGH (MANDI):As you are aware MEA organises Kailash Mansarover Yatra every year. Traditionaly, the route to Kailash Mansarover, which lies in Tibet, passes through Uttranchal. This journey is long and arduous, mainly on foot, and the round trip takes almost one month.
The H.P. Government has for sometime now been exploring the possibility of an alternate, easier and shorter route via Shipkila Pass which is on the border district Kinnaur and Tibet. Our Government has conducted detailed study and found that an alternate route through this area is possible. It would reduce the journey time by almost half, not only would this benefit the pilgrims but also become much easier for the Ministry of External Affairs to organize the logistics for the Yatra. Therefore, I would urge upon the Hon’ble Prime Minister that it may be necessary to examine this proposal by consisting a team of MEA and H.P. Government officials to survey the route an ground, so that this route could be firmed up. If it is feasible, it would give a big boost to tourism activity in the remote tribal District of Kinnaur & Himachal State in general.