New Delhi (IANS): The Kartarpur Corridor with Pakistan will reopen from Wednesday, November 17, just two days ahead of Gurupurab, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on Twitter.
The government’s move came after a Sikh delegation on Sunday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to reopen the corridor.
The Sikh pilgrimage corridor, connecting the Darbar Singh Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan from Dera Baba Nanak Sahib in Gurdaspur in Punjab, was closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shah said that the decision taken by the Prime Minister shows the Union government’s reverence towards Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the Sikh community.
“In a major decision, that will benefit large numbers of Sikh pilgrims, PM @Narendramodi govt has decided to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from tomorrow, Nov 17. This decision reflects the immense reverence of Modi govt towards Guru Nanak Dev Ji and our Sikh community,” Shah tweeted.
The Home Minister said: “The nation is all set to celebrate the Prakash Utsav of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji on November 19, and I am sure that Modi government’s decision to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib corridor will further boost the joy and happiness across the country.”
After the Union Government’s announcement, former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh thanked the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister for reopening the Kartarpur Corridor.
“There could not have been a better occasion than now for opening of the corridor as thousands of devotees will get the chance to pay their obeisance at the holy shrine on the Guruparab day itself,” Amarinder Singh said in a statement here.
The Kartarpur corridor gives access to the Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan without a visa.
Darbar Sahib is believed to be the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev ji.
The foundation stone for the Kartarpur Sahib corridor was laid on November 26, 2018, and the corridor was completed on the 550th birth anniversary of the Sikh Guru in 2019.
PUNJAB Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday announced that the entire state cabinet will pay obeisance at Kartarpur Sahib on Thursday, November 18 as part of the first delegation after reopening of the Kartarpur corridor.
Addressing a gathering during a function in Dharowali (Gurdaspur) to mark the death anniversary of former Punjab minister and Congress leader Santokh Singh Randhawa, the Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for re-opening the Kartarpur corridor ahead of Prakash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev.
Channi said he had personally taken up the issue of reopening of the corridor with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister.
He said this is a joyous occasion for the entire Punjabi community in general and the Sikhs in particular.