By NewsGram Staff Writer

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in Beijing that the second route for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra will be functional from next month. The second route through Nathu La pass, situated 4,000 meters above sea-level, will now give an opportunity to more number of Indian devotees to undertake the pilgrimage.

The Prime Minister said, "The Nathu La route for Indian pilgrims to visit Kailash Mansarovar will become operational in June. I want to thank China for that."

During his visit to India last year, the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, had given an assurance to open the new route for the Yatra. The approach towards the new route was finalized during the visit of Sushma Swaraj, the Minister of External affairs, to China in February.

As per reports, the Ministry of External Affairs currently takes around 1,000 pilgrims annually in 18 batches involving a 22-day journey. The officials expect that the number of pilgrims could increase once the new route is opened.