Relief to Sikh pilgrims as Kartarpur Corridor to reopen today

New Delhi: The Indian government on Tuesday announced the reopening of the Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from Wednesday, November 17. The decision comes ahead of Guru Nanak Jayanti on Friday. Operations at the corridor were suspended on March 16, 2020, due to Covid-19 pandemic. The Indian government said the decision to resume operations of Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor has been taken keeping in view the improved situation of Covid-19 pandemic.

“In a major decision that will benefit large numbers of Sikh pilgrims, PM @Narendramodi govt has decided to re-open the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from tomorrow, Nov. 17. This decision reflects the immense reverence of Modi govt towards Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and our Sikh community. The nation is all set to celebrate the Prakash Utsav of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji on 19th of November and I am sure that PM @NarendraModi govt’s decision to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib corridor will further boost the joy and happiness across the country,” Union home minister Amit Shah said in tweet messages.

Several political leaders cutting across parties had urged the Central government to reopen the corridor ahead of the 552nd Parkash Purb. The birth anniversary of Guru Nanakji is expected to see over 8,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims crossing over to Pakistan to pay obeisance at Kartarpur Sahib. Last week Pakistan high commission in New Delhi issued around 3,000 visas for travel between November 17-26 to Kartarpur Sahib and Nankana Sahib, the birth place of Guru Nanakji.

The Union home ministry said in a statement that Shri Kartapur Sahib is a place of devotion for crores of Indians and the decision of the Modi government to resume operations of the Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor shows the sensitivity of the Modi Government towards the Sikh community.

Punjab chief minister Charanjit S. Channi welcomed the Centre’s decision to reopen the corridor and thanked the PM and home minister. He said his entire Cabinet will travel to Kartarpur on the occasion. “This laudatory step has fulfilled the aspirations of millions of devotees who've been deprived of 'Darshan Didare' due to COVID pandemic. My cabinet will pay obeisance at Sri Kartarpur Sahib as first delegation on November 18 after reopening of #KartarpurCorridor ahead of Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. Also, thanks to the PM @narendramodi ji & HM  @AmitShah ji for fulfilling the demand of 'Nanak Naam Leva Sangat'".

Former chief minister Amarinder Singh too welcomed the move. “My profound gratitude to PM @narendramodi and HM  @AmitShah for the timely opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. It will provide a chance to thousands of devotees to pay obeisance at the holy shrine on the occasion of Guru Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji,” he said.

“Aam Aadmi Party welcomes the re-opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. The Kejriwal Govt had previously added Kartarpur Sahib Corridor to the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana wherein devotees are taken on the pilgrimage at the expense of the Govt,” AAP leader Raghav Chadha said.

Officials said Mr Shah held review meetings with officials to expedite resumption of the operation of the corridor at an opportune time. Pilgrimage through the Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor would be facilitated as per existing procedures and adherence to Covid protocols.

The Union Cabinet had passed a resolution on November 22, 2018, to celebrate the historic occasion of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Devji in a grand and befitting manner throughout the country and across the globe. Following this India had signed an agreement with Pakistan on October 24, 2019, on the modalities for operationalisation of Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor at Zero Point, International Boundary, Dera Baba Nanak. Representatives from the ministry of external affairs, ministry of defence, and ministry of home affairs along with the representatives from the government of Punjab were present during the signing ceremony.