Modi Govt. to Build Kartapur Corridor, Urges Pak to Follow SuitJust In

November 22, 2018 10:10

The union cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the development of the Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district to the International Border.

The significant decision will give Indian pilgrims effortless access to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on the banks of the Ravi river, in Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Dev spent 18 years.

The government has also urged Pakistan to recognize the sentiments of the Sikh community and develop a corridor with appropriate facilities in its territory as well.

"The Kartarpur corridor will be implemented as an integrated development project with Government of India funding, to provide smooth and easy passage, with all the modern amenities. The government of India will put in place suitable facilities for smooth passage of pilgrims," a press release said.

"The government of Pakistan will be urged to recognize the sentiments of the Sikh community and to develop a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory as well," it added.

The Kartarpur corridor will provide smooth and easy passage to pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib throughout the year. Government of Pakistan will be urged to reciprocate and develop a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory.
— राजनाथ सिंह (@rajnathsingh) November 22, 2018

Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu welcomed the move and appealed to the Centre to write to the Pakistan government. "I hope the draft for the letter is ready as promised by Hon'ble EAM Sushma Ji", he said. He also urged Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to take reciprocal steps in opening the corridor in his country.

Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, which is three kilometers from the India-Pakistan border, is an ultimate resting place of Guru Nanak.

There have been persistent calls from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and political leaders to construct a "corridor" for pilgrims to cross over into Pakistan to visit the Kartarpur Sahib shrine and come back the same day.

-Sowmya Sangam