Kartarpur corridor: Govt to allow 1,500 pilgrims to visit holy site during Parkash Purab

After nearly 20 months, the Government of India has decided to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, allowing one group of pilgrims to undertake the yatra this November. The Minister of External Affairs informed on Thursday, that access to the Kartarpur corridor, which has been suspended since March 2020 will be reopened between November 16-26 this year.

A total of 1,500 Sikh pilgrims will be able to visit the holy site for the upcoming Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev celebrations, said MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. 

"As you know the Kartarpur corridor was closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic. Both the sides are following COVID-19 guidelines. It has been decided that during November 17-26 celebrations, one group of pilgrims will be allowed to undertake the yatra," Bagchi told media. 

The Kartarpur Corridor was inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan on the eve of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev on November 9, 2019. But the Coronavirus pandemic hit the region just months after the opening of the corridor. 

The movement of pilgrims to Pakistan through the corridor has been suspended and the neighbouring country had also banned travel from India citing the surge in infections in April this year.

Pakistan urges India to reopen Kartarpur corridor

After denying permission twice, the Pakistan government on Tuesday urged India to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor from its side. "India is yet to open the corridor from its side and allow pilgrims to visit Kartarpur Sahib,” the Foreign Office had said.

"We look forward to hosting devotees from India and around the world” for the upcoming Guru Nanak Dev’s Birthday celebrations from 17-26 November, it said.

Meanwhile, demands have also been raised by the Sikh community in India, as well as the Punjab government and the Opposition parties, asking the Centre to reopen the corridor. The 4 km-long Kartarpur Corridor provides visa-free access to Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev lived and died at this gurdwara at the start of the 16th century.