The Kartarpur Corridor, connecting the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan to Gurudwara Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district, is set to reopen for pilgrims on Tuesday as the flood-situation eased near the India-Pakistan border.
The reopening of Kartarpur will assist thousands of devotees, largely Sikhs, to visit the final resting place of Guru Nanak in Pakistan.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Amarinder Singh said his government would be happy to work in conjunction with the Centre to ensure adherence to proper Covid-19 protocols, including testing and vaccination of pilgrims using the corridor.
The Corridor was temporarily closed by the Indian government on March 16 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
India and Pakistan in October 2019 signed an agreement to operationalise the Kartarpur Corridor to allow Indian pilgrims a visa-free visit to the holy gurdwara, believed to have been built on the site where Guru Nanak died in the 16th century, and located some 4 km inside Pakistan.
The CM, however, said India would not allow ISI-backed forces such as the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) to disturb its harmony and stability.
She said that this bus will start from Bus Stand Dera Baba Nanak at 8:45 am and reach Kartarpur Sahib Corridor at 9 a.m.
The number of devotees to the historic Kartarpur shrine had not crossed the 700-mark per day even since the corridor was opened.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh paid tribute to the 'great teacher who spread the message of humanity, peace, happiness and goodness through his life'.
Interacting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of inauguration of the immigration center and flagging of first jatha (group) of Indians through Kartarpur corridor near Dera Baba Nanak today, Jakhar said the US$ 20 dollar fee imposed by Pakistan should be borne by the Central government under special Tirath Yatra (pilgrimage) package offered for senior citizens only in some segments.
