Tibet to spend $240 mn on roads to monasteries

Lhasa, April 8 (IANS) In a bid to ensure an easier access to its monasteries, Tibet will earmark 1.5 billion yuan (about $240 million) on road construction, the authorities said Sunday. The work is expected to be completed by 2020.

According to government statistics, Tibet has more than 1,700 registered monasteries and venues for religious activities with about 46,000 monks and nuns.

By 2015, asphalt, or bitumen roads will be extended to over 70 percent of the region's monasteries with the help of the funds, Xinhua reported citing a statement issued by Tibet's traffic transportation department.

Road access to every monastery of the region is expected to be available by 2020, the statement said.

The plateau region is known as "the roof of the world" with an average altitude of over 4,000 metres and road construction is more difficult and costly than in other parts of China.