Reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor ahead of Gurpurab on November 19 announced
"This decision reflects the immense reverence of Modi govt towards Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and our Sikh community," Union Home Minister Amit Shah said.
In advance of Gurpurab on November 19, India announced on Tuesday that the Kartarpur Corridor will reopen on November 17. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the Corridor, which offers rare visa-free transit from India to Pakistan and vice versa for pilgrims to pray at the Holy Gurudwara Darbar Sahib, has been closed since March of last year.
It is finally reopened in time for Gurpurab, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru and founder of Sikhism.
The Gurudwara, in particular, is revered as one of Sikhism's holiest sites and is thought to be the final resting place of Guru Nanak.
Taking to Twitter, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "In a major decision, that will benefit large numbers of Sikh pilgrims, PM Narendra Modi 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 Narendra Modi govt's decision to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib corridor will further boost the joy and happiness across the country," Shah added.
On the occasion of Gurpurab in November 2019, the 4.7-kilometer-long corridor was inaugurated with much excitement.
Several Punjabi leaders have recently called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek that the corridor be opened.
The change occurred as India continues to open up to overseas travellers as the number of daily COVID-19 cases decreases.
After a 20-month break, India opened its doors to international tourists on Monday.
