Reopening the Kartarpur Corridor: A Sacred Path for Sikh Pilgrims

The Kartarpur Corridor is a special route that connects the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan to the Gurudwara Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district, India. This corridor allows Sikh pilgrims to travel easily between the two holy places to pay their respects.

Recently, heavy rains caused the Ravi river's water level to rise near the India-Pakistan border, creating a flood-like situation in the area. As a result, the authorities decided to temporarily close the Kartarpur Corridor for the safety of the pilgrims. The flood also caused some damage to structures and roads in the corridor area.

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To assess the situation and plan for the reopening of the corridor, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Narinder Bhargav and Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal visited the corridor. They inspected the damages and found that the roads on the Indian side were repaired, making it safe for pilgrims to use.

Furthermore, the Pakistani side of the corridor was also reportedly safe for pilgrims. Therefore, the decision was made to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor on Tuesday, 25th July. Around 132 pilgrims had already registered for this day, but those who were unable to make it were advised to re-register for a later date.

Importance of the Corridor

The Kartarpur Corridor holds significant importance for Sikhs, as it fulfills a long-standing demand to have easy and smooth access to the holy Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan. The Indian government and the Government of Pakistan signed an Agreement on October 24, 2019, to facilitate pilgrims' visits to this revered site. The corridor was inaugurated on November 9, 2019, and remains open seven days a week.

This reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor will once again allow Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the historic Gurdwara in Pakistan and pay their respects to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, marking a significant event in their spiritual journey.

It's important to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, and the authorities will continue to monitor the situation along the corridor to provide a smooth and secure travel experience for all those who wish to make this sacred pilgrimage.