Announcement of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra-2015 by External Affairs Minister and Minister of Overseas Indian affairs Smt. Sushma Swaraj 

The External Affairs and Overseas Indian affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj in a ceremony on February 19 launched a dedicated website for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra-2015 (http://kmy.gov.in). The External Affairs Minister also inaugurated a new Yatra Helpline number (011-24300655) for the Yatris. 2015 is a watershed year for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. For the first time since its resumption in 1981, the Yatra will be conducted through two routes.

During External Affairs Minister’s visit to China from January 31 to February 3, 2015, the two sides formally exchanged notes on modalities for Yatra via Nathu La which has made it possible for Yatra to commence via Nathu La beginning June 18, 2015. This new route does not involve trekking by foot except for the Kailash Parikarma. It would help many old age pilgrims to fulfil their desire to undertake the Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage.

This year the Yatra will be conducted during the period from June 8 to September 9, 2015. There will be 18 batches of 60 pilgrims each on the existing route through Lipulekh Pass in Uttrakhand. Five batches of 50 Yatris each will be able to utilize the newly opened route via Nathu La in Sikkim.

The dedicated Yatra website is bilingual in Hindi and English and has an integrated online application registration, submission and tracking system in-built. Beginning this Yatra season, the Yatris will get a unique Yatra registration number through SMS and email. The Yatris would also be able to access status of their applications at any time through the website. The helpline is based on Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS). It will address queries of the Yatris in both Hindi and English. The IVRS has a feature for Yatris to request a call back facility from the Helpline officials. The Yatra Helpline and the new dedicated Yatra website have been developed and maintained by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

The Yatra is organized in close cooperation with the Government of the People`s Republic of China. State Governments of Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Delhi, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (KMVN) are other major Indian partners of the Ministry in organizing the Yatra.

With the launch of the website, the application process for the Yatra has commenced. The last date for submitting applications through the website is 10 April 2015. The selection of the Yatris will be done through an open, fair, random, gender balanced, computer generated draw of lots. Priority will be give to first time applicants, senior citizens, doctors and married couples. On the Nathu La route, priority will be given to old age pilgrims.

YSKataria, New Delhi 20.02.2015