The much-awaited Kartarpur Sahib Corridor will be ready by end of this month and online registration for the pilgrimage to visit the revered Sikh shrine across the border in Pakistan will begin from Sunday. As confirmed by Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) Chairman Govind Mohan, construction of the 4.2 km-long corridor will be completed by 31st October, a week before the celebrations to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev.
“Before the 20th, we are expecting the signing of the final Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian and Pakistan. From October 20, pilgrims can register on the online portal,” said Mohan, who is also the additional secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
A passport is a must for devotees from India visiting Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara to pay obeisance, he added. He furtherr clarified that visa will not be required but the visitors need to get themselves registered online at least a month ahead of their visit.
He said 5,000 pilgrims will be able to visit the gurudwar everyday and their visit would be completed in same day.
PM Modi is expected to inaugurate the Indian side of the Kartarpur corridor on 8th of November. Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh is to lead an all-party delegation across the border to Kartarpur Sahib on the opening day of the Kartarpur Corridor on November 9.
Over Pakistan looking for $20 service charge from each individual using the Kartarpur corridor, Mohan said a Joint Secretary level officer from the Ministry of Home Affairs are in the talks with Pakistani counterparts to sort out the issue.
