Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is all set to open today, November 17, a couple of days ahead of Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary or Gurparab. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the news via Twitter post.
“The nation is all set to celebrate the Prakash Utsav of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on November 19 and I am sure that PM Narendra Modi government’s decision to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib corridor will further boost the joy and happiness across the country,” Amit Shah tweet.
Many political leaders lauded the Center’s move to reopen the corridor.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Bibi Jagir Kaur said she will herself lead a special “jatha” (group) to Kartarpur Sahib on the day of Gurpurab. Across the border, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) expressed happiness over the reopening.
What is the Kartarpur Corridor?
The Kartarpur Corridor is a visa-free border crossing. It joins the Indian border to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. The corridor that is 4.7 kilometre long allows devotees from India to pay a visit to the Gurudwara sans a visa. At the start of the 16th century, Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev lived and died at this Gurdwara.
When was the idea of the corridor proposed?
The Indian and the Pakistani governments proposed the idea in 1999. The Kartarpur corridor was a part of the New Delhi-Lahore bus diplomacy.
The foundation stone was laid on the Indian side on November 26, 2018. And on November 28, on the Pakistani side.
When was the corridor inaugurated?
The Kartarpur corridor was inaugurated in November 2019 by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. The inauguration was a part of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. This paved the way for Indian pilgrims to come and visit one of their religion’s holiest sites in Pakistan.
How many pilgrims have visited the corridor since inauguration?
As per media reports, more than 59,000 pilgrims visited the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur since 2019.
How to register?
Pilgrims can register themselves on prakashpurb550.mha.gov.in and choose their travel dates. They will receive a confirmation message days in advance of travel. An Electronic Travel Authorisation will also be generated.
A negative RT-PCR test or a vaccination certificate is a must.
