Ex-Union min airlifted to Delhi after injury during Kailash yatra
Meenakshi Lekhi
was airlifted to Delhi from Dharchula on Tuesday morning after suffering multiple rib fractures from a fall off a pony during the
Kailash Mansarovar yatra
on Saturday.
The incident occurred near Derapuk during the parikrama. Following the injury, Lekhi ended her journey and crossed back into India via the Lipulekh Pass, reaching Gunji on Sunday. She was part of the second batch of pilgrims, which had entered the Tibet region on July 14. A chopper stationed in Dharchula was requisitioned for her evacuation, but bad weather delayed the operation. With conditions unchanged, she travelled by ambulance to Dharchula on Monday night and was flown to Delhi the next morning.
Meanwhile, the rest of the second batch -- 47 pilgrims, including 13 women -- also returned to India on Tuesday, officials said.
Sources in the district administration said the group was originally scheduled to halt at Bundi. However, due to heavy traffic on the Dharchula-Gunji road -- attributed to polling parties and villagers travelling for rural body elections -- the halt was shifted to Gunji. Authorities are now working to reduce congestion on the route.
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