Number of pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar increased this year

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) China has agreed to increase from 44 to 60 the number of pilgrims per batch for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra this year beginning from June 1.

Consequently, this year, upto 960 Yatris will go in 16 batches for the pilgrimage, a spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry said.

India has also proposed to the Chinese side regarding opening an alternative route to Kailash and Mansarovar to make the Yatra more convenient.

During the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to India in April last year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had raised the matter of opening an alternative route for the Yatra through Ladakh, which would be shorter and more convenient.

The Chinese side conveyed their willingness to provide greater facilitation to pilgrims from India.

The Government is also discussing with the Chinese side issues regarding the improvement of facilities on their side for the Yatra within the constraint of the difficult terrain and lack of infrastructure along the Yatra route.

''In view of India's request to allow a greater number of yatris to visit Kailash Mansarovar, the Chinese side has agreed to increase the size of each batch from 44 to 60 yatri.

The number of yatris has progressively increased over the years and this year we will have upto 960 Yatris in 16 batches...This year 960 yatris will be selected on the basis of draw of lots through a omputer-generated, gender-balanced random computerised selection process. The remaining applicants are being put on a standby list,'' the spokesman added.

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