Day after Tibet bridge collapse, Mansarovar pilgrims rescued
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
, who were stranded after a bridge collapsed in Tibet, are safe and expected to fly back to Mumbai from Nepal on Thursday morning.
The group landed in Kathmandu on June 26 and the eight-day spiritual journey began a few days later.
The yatra nearly ended in disaster for these 23 travellers, 15 from Mumbai and eight from Dubai.
A sudden landslide and flood on Tuesday swept away Miteri Bridge at Gyirong, Tibet, cutting off their only overland route back to Kathmandu.
What began as a routine pilgrimage through a private tour operator, turned uncertain when the group found themselves stranded at the China-Nepal border.
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The pilgrims turned to social media, news outlets and govt channels for help due to expensive flight rates, almost nine times the usual amount.
Being an all-vegetarian group, they struggled to find suitable meals as well. Fortunately, within hours, their calls were answered.
The pilgrims said the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, especially official R P Singh, coordinated with Nepalese authorities to secure transit permits through the Kodari crossing, long shuttered since 2015. "After just seven hours, they figured things out," said advocate Simran Jumani.
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The Chinese authorities cooperated to ensure the pilgrims' welfare and swift repatriation. Chinese police and embassy officials dispatched representatives to the pilgrims' hotel, ensuring safe passage onto a waiting bus. The group's guide, Palden Caip negotiated at local police stations, while liaising with both Indian and Chinese officials. "He's been our backbone, staying with us every step of the way," said Jumani.
Another pilgrim from Mumbai, Shishu Yadava echoed her gratitude, "Everything is sorted now. We are finally on our way to Kathmandu". Traveller Deepak Peswani was pleased by the "deeply spiritual experience of the yatra".
What could have been an ordeal lasting days was resolved in under 24 hours. By 1.30pm on Wednesday, the group had left Gyirong by bus, bound for Kathmandu immigration. "If all goes well, we will touchdown in Mumbai on Thursday morning," said Yadava.
As the first group to reach out for help, these pilgrims are hoping their swift rescue paves the way for "dozens still awaiting rescue" in Gyirong. Jumani said she has petitioned Beijing to aid another 63 Indian nationals stranded there.
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