Government decides to reopen Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from today- What is the significance?

The Union Home Amit Shah announced on November 16, 2021, that in a major decision, PM Modi-led government has decided to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from November 17. The Corridor was closed by the Government in March 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While announcing the news via Twitter, the Home Minister said, “In a major decision, that will benefit a large number of Sikh Pilgrims, PM Modi government has decided to re-open the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from tomorrow, November 17. This decision reflects immense reverence of the Modi Government towards Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and our Sikh Community.”

In a major decision, that will benefit large numbers of Sikh pilgrims, PM @Narendramodi 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.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 16, 2021

He further added, “The nation is all set to celebrate the Prakash Utsav of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on November 19 and I am sure that PM Modi government’s decision to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor will further boost the joy and happiness across country.”

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 @NarendraModi govt’s decision to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib corridor will further boost the joy and happiness across the country.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 16, 2021

Kartarpur Sahib reopens: Locals in Punjab welcomes the decision

Ahead of the reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on November 17, 2021, the locals in Punjab have welcomed the government's decision to resume the operations. 

Punjab: Ahead of the reopening of Kartarpur Corridor, which is scheduled for today, locals welcome government's move to resume operations.

"It's a welcome step. People have been eagerly waiting to offer prayers at the shrine (Gurdwara Darbar Sahib)," says Triclochan Singh pic.twitter.com/kP3UxBMV2A

— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2021

Punjab Government to be part of Jatha

The Chief Minister of Punjab Charanjit Singh Channi has welcomed the Central Government's decision of reopening the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. He also informed that the Punjab Cabinet will be a part of the 'Jatha', which will visit the historic shrine in Pakistan on November 18, 2021.

The Chief Minister of Punjab in a tweet said, "I warmly welcome the decision to reopen the Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on the auspicious occasion of 552nd Parkash Purb of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. This laudatory step has fulfilled the aspirations of millions of devotees who've been deprived of 'darshan didare' due to COVID-19 pandemic."

I warmly welcome the decision to reopen the Sri Kartapur Sahib Corridor on the auspicious occasion of 552nd Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. This laudatory step has fulfilled aspirations of millions of devotees who've been deprived of 'Darshan Didare' due to COVID pandemic.

— Charanjit S Channi (@CHARANJITCHANNI) November 16, 2021

Kartarpur Sahib Corridor

The visa-free 4.7-kilometer-long corridor joins the Indian border to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. Kartarpur Sahib Corridor had become operational in 2019 and it was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan.

Alternatively, the devotees have been visiting the shrine going via the Attari-Wagah border which requires a visa.

COVID-19 restrictions to be in place

Reportedly, COVID-19 restrictions will be put in place after the reopening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, including the social distancing, RT-PCR tests within 72 hours, double vaccination and the numbers of visitors may also be restricted.

Pakistan, last week, had urged the Government of India to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and allow the Sikh pilgrims to visit the holy site for the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib.

Background

As per the Ministry of Home Affairs, India and Pakistan had signed an agreement on October 24, 2019, on the modalities for the operationalization of the Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor at Zero Point, International boundary, Dera Baba Nanak.