Kartarpur Corridor

Introduction

The Kartarpur Corridor (Punjabi: ਕਰਤਾਰਪੁਰਲਾਂਘਾ (Gurmukhi) is a sans visa line crossing and strict corridor, connecting the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan to Gurudwara Dera Baba Nanak with India. The crossing permits lovers from India to visit the gurdwara in Kartarpur, 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles) from the India-Pakistan verge on the Pakistani side without a visa. However, Pakistani Sikhs can’t utilize the boundary-crossing, and can’t get to Dera Baba Nanak on the Indian side without first getting an Indian visa or except if they work there.
The Kartarpur Corridor was first proposed in mid-1999 by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan separately around then, as a feature of the Delhi-Lahore Bus tact.
On 26 November 2018, the establishment stone was set down on the Indian side by Prime Minister Narendra Modi; two days after the fact, on 28 November 2018, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan did likewise for the Pakistani side. The hall was finished for the 550th birth commemoration of Guru Nanak on 12 November 2019. Khan said “Pakistan accepts that the way to the flourishing of locale and splendid eventual fate of our approaching age lies in harmony”, adding that “Pakistan isn’t just opening the line yet, in addition, their hearts for the Sikh community”. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thought about the choice by the two nations to proceed with the hallway to the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, saying that the undertaking could help in facilitating pressures between the two nations.
Beforehand, Sikh explorers from India needed to take a transport to Lahore to get to Kartarpur, which is a 125 kilometers (78 miles) venture, despite the fact that individuals on the Indian side of the boundary could likewise truly see GurdwaraDarbar Sahib Kartarpur from the Indian side, where a raised perception stage was built.
On 17 November 2021, the Kartarpur Corridor opened after more than eighteen months of being shut because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Two India and Pakistan have permitted residents to visit the Gurdwara relying on the prerequisite that they convey both a negative Covid report and are completely immunized.

Background

The primary master of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Ji, established Kartarpur in 1504 CE on the right bank of the Ravi River and laid out the main Sikh collective there. Following his passing in 1539, Hindus and Muslims both asserted him as their own and brought tombs up in his memory with a typical divider between them. Taking a different path of the Ravi River at last washed away the tombs. Another residence was shaped, addressing the present-day Dera Baba Nanak on the left bank of the Ravi stream.
After the 1947 Partition of India, the district was split between India and Pakistan. The Radcliffe Line granted the Shakargarh tehsil on the right bank of the Ravi River, including Kartarpur, to Pakistan, and the Gurdaspur tehsil on the passed on the bank of Ravi to India. In 1948, the Akali Dal requested that India ought to obtain the place where there are the gurdwaras in Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur. The requests persevered till 1959, however, the Punjab state government constrained by the Indian National Congress educated against any alteration concerning the limit fixed by the Radcliffe Award.
For a long time following part, Indian Sikhs could visit Kartarpur casually by crossing the Jassar span (32.04923°N 74.99242°E) on the Ravi waterway, as boundary controls between the two nations were not stringently upheld until 1965. The extension was obliterated by Pakistani powers during the Indo-Pakistan battle of 1965 to repress potential Indian advances, and line controls turned out to be all the more firmly controlled.
In 1969, on the event of the 500th commemoration of the introduction of Guru Nanak Ji, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi vowed to move toward the Pakistani government for a land trade so Kartarpur Sahib could turn out to be essential for India. None of this emerged. Anyway, in September 1974, a convention concurred between India and Pakistan for visits to strict shrines. Around 2005, the convention was refreshed by expanding the number of visits and the number of sites. However, Kartarpur was never included among the locales remembered for the 1974 convention. As per the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, India had mentioned its incorporation however this was not consented to by Pakistan.
Gobind Singh, the overseer of the gurdwara at Kartarpur, said the gurdwara had “stayed shut from 1947 to 2000”. The gurdwara had no staff, regardless of getting travelers, and entry was limited. The Pakistani government began fixing the holy place in September 2000 in front of the commemoration of Guru Nanak’s passing and officially resumed it in September 2004. The Kartarpur Corridor mission was at first begun by Bhabishan Singh Goraya, who sought after the reason for a considerable length of time.
As indicated by Akali pioneer Kuldeep Singh Wadala, the gurdwara had been deserted till 2003. It filled in as a steers shed for the residents and its territories were taken over by tenant farmers. Beginning around 2003, be that as it may, the Pakistani government has allegedly taken drives for the upkeep of Sikh strict sanctums.

Recent Initiatives

During the residency of Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the launch of the Kartarpur line crossing was first talked about in 1998. After additional conversations during the 1999 transport tact, Pakistan remodeled the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara and made it accessible for review from the Indian border. The pressures emerging from the Kargil War had actually obliterated India-Pakistan relations. In any case, it was accounted for that General Pervez Musharraf gave a ‘green sign’ for building a hallway, as per the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee administrator Lt.- Gen. Javed Nasir.
Manmohan Singh, during his initial term as the head of the state of India, additionally postponed the issue in a discourse in Punjab in 2004. The ‘composite exchange cycle’s among India and Pakistan started in 2004 and likewise talked about admittance to Kartarpur through an Amritsar-Lahore-Kartarpur street connect.
In 2008, the Indian unfamiliar clergyman Pranab Mukherjee raised with his Pakistani partner Shah Mehmood Qureshi “without visa travel” to Kartarpur. There was evidently no authority reaction, however secretly; Pakistan started to communicate its receptiveness to the Sikh community. However, even up to 2012, the Indian government had no response. The aggression between the nations was clearly to a fault.
On 20 June 2008, at a public interview in Dera Baba Nanak organized by Akali pioneer Kuldeep Singh Wadala, John W. McDonald, a previous American representative and author of the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy, required “a harmony hallway, a harmony zone” associating sanctums on the two sides of the border. On 28 June 2008, the Indian unfamiliar pastor at that point, Pranab Mukherjee, said that the Indian government would complete an attainability study for the harmony corridor. However, since the 2008 Mumbai assaults occurred, the relations between India and Pakistan plunged and the drive floundered. Individuals from the Sikh people group in Washington DC worked with the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy to complete an autonomous possibility study. In August 2010, their report named “Kartarpur Marg” was delivered by Surinder Singh and the Institute. According to the report, the expense of the hallway would be 17 million US dollars, which the Sikh diaspora consented to raise. The report had said that it would cost Pakistan $14.8 million and India $2.2 million. In November 2010 the Punjab state official got together and collectively passed a goal for a worldwide section between the two locales and sent it to the Indian Union government on 1 October 2010.

Corridor Project

In August 2018, in Indian Punjab, the travel industry serves Navjot Singh Sidhu went to the Pakistani state leader Imran Khan’s debut function where he was told by the Pakistan Army commander Qamar Javed Bajwa of Pakistan’s eagerness to open the Dera Baba Nanak-Kartarpur hallway on Guru Nanak’s 550th birth commemoration. Given the unmistakable time span, this set the ball rolling.
In August 2018, one more goal connected with the hallway in the Indian Punjab Vidhan Sabha was moved by boss clergyman Amarinder Singh, which was passed consistently Following this the public authority of Indian Punjab chose to move toward the head of the state of India connected with the launch of the passageway. On 30 October 2018, a gathering of Sikh Americans looked for the Indian head of the state’s assistance in opening the passageway. In November 2018, the Indian Cabinet endorsed the arrangement to set up the hallway and engaged Pakistan to do likewise. The Pakistani unfamiliar clergyman S. M. Qureshi answered by tweeting that Pakistan had “previously passed on to India” that it would open a hall.
In August 2019, India and Pakistan consented to permit sans visa travel of Indian residents to Kartarpur, yet contrasts persevered about Indian consular officials being situated at the site.
On 24 October 2019, S.C.L. Das, Joint Secretary (Internal Security) in the Union Home Ministry from India and Pakistan Foreign Office Director-General South Asia and SAARC Mohammad Faisal met at Zero Point close to Dera Baba Nanak in the border town of Gurdaspur to ink the reminder of understanding. The consenting of this arrangement has made ready for 5,000 Indian travelers to visit the heavenly site without a visa consistently. Under the understanding, the pioneers would come toward the beginning of the day and return in the evening subsequent to visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. Each guest would be expected to pay USD $20 as an assistance charge, which according to Pakistan Foreign Office’s DG South Asia and SAARC Mohammad Faisal, would just cover 33% of the ongoing functional expense. India notwithstanding had encouraged Pakistan to defer the charges for pioneers. Accordingly, on 1 November 2019, Pakistan’s state head Imran Khan declared on Twitter that Sikh pioneers coming from India for a journey to Kartarpur won’t be charged any expense upon the arrival of introduction and on Guru Nanak’s 550th birth commemoration on 12 November 2019. The Pakistan government as an “exceptional signal” had likewise deferred the identification prerequisite for Kartarpur explorers stretching out as long as one year. Notwithstanding, the Indian government ruled against benefiting “concessions” reported by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs declared that visas would be required per the arrangement between the two nations.

Plan Of Gurudwara Complex

The Complex will have a global standard inn, many condos, two business regions, two-vehicle parking garages, a Border Facility Area, a power matrix station, a vacationer data focus, and a few offices. Over 400 sections of land were obtained by the Government of Pakistan to lay out the fundamental gurudwara complicated and encompassing region. The principle sanctuary complex has been extended multiple times from unique 4 sections of land to 42 sections of land. The end-all strategy of the Gurudwara complex has been arranged by remembering future prerequisites for guests from nations other than India.

Inauguration

On 9 November 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan initiated the Kartarpur passage at a function that was held in Gurdwara Darbar Sahib complex, Kartarpur and around 12,000 explorers were available for this service. Imran Khan got the explorers and officially initiated the Kartarpur passage by eliminating a shade that was lifted by tourist balloons from a colossal kirpan (dagger).At the event, Prime Minister Khan said “Pakistan accepts that the way to the thriving of locale and brilliant eventual fate of our approaching age lies in harmony, saying that today (9 November 2019) Pakistan isn’t just opening the boundary yet additionally their hearts for the Sikh people group.”
In front of Guru Nanak’s 550th Prakash Purab festivities the Kartarpur passageway, interfacing Sri Darbar Sahib Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Punjab with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur was opened up on 9 November 2019 working with the primary Jatha (cluster) of in excess of 550 pioneers to head out to the last resting spot of Guru Nanak. Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited the move and looked at the choice for the passage between the two nations to the fall of the Berlin Wall, saying that the task might help in facilitating pressures between the two nations. During the introduction discourse, he likewise said, “I might want to thank the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan Niazi for regarding the opinion of India.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed off the journey and gave over the banner of the Jatha to Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Harpreet Singh.
Under the initiative of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, the Jatha went through the passageway into Pakistan to pay deference at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. The Indian Sikh assignment that included previous Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Indian Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, and entertainer turned-legislator Sunny Deol showed up through Kartarpur Corridor to commend the 550th commemoration of the introduction of Guru Nanak and went to the initiation function on the extraordinary greeting from Pakistani Prime Minister Khan.
Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, talking about the event, expressed gratitude toward the two states for the passageway. Navjot Singh Sidhu in his discourse said that Prime Minister Khan had won the core of the Sikh people group by opening the hallway. He referenced that Alexander III of Macedon won the core of individuals by battling, while Khan won the hearts of numerous Sikhs all over the planet by giving admittance to their sacred land Kartarpur. Prior, nonetheless, the Indian government’s forswearing of political leeway to Sidhu to visit Pakistan for the Kartarpur initiation had gathered momentum into a last-second discussion. The verse about Guru Nanak from Allama Iqbal’s Bang-e-Dara was additionally perused by previous PM Dr. Manmohan Singh and furthermore by Pakistani speakers at the initiation.

Security Concerns And Propaganda

In November 2019, media detailed that Indian security organizations had spotted asserted JeM psychological oppressor instructional course in the Narowal region, where the gurdwara is located. The Foreign Office of Pakistan countered the Indian cases as outlandish promulgation.
In 2019, in an exceptionally reprimanded act, Pakistan armed force put an unexploded bomb in plain view inside the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara premises with a going flag asserting that the Indian Air Force had dropped this bomb during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani conflict on the gurdwara trying to obliterate it. The Sikh pioneers voiced their opinions against any “messy governmental issues” for the sake of the Guru.

Facilities

RailTel Corporation of India sent off free Rail Wire WiFi administration to pioneers at Dera Baba Nanak rail route station and Integrated Check Post. Jalandhar-based Republic Motors gave six grounds electric trucks to go of explorers from Integrated Check Post (ICP) to zero point. On 8 November 2019, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal declared that the Government of Delhi will bear all costs and costs of Kartarpur Sahib Journey under Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana.

Similar Projects

There are a few different recommendations for the opening comparative without visa passageways to Sikh strict and noteworthy spots that are arranged inside 4 kilometers of worldwide boundaries.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh requested an equivalent without visa access passage at Dera Baba Nanak, India for Pakistani Sikhs to visit and pay respect at Gurudwara Sri Darbar Sahib at Dera Baba Nanak.
Hallway to Gurdwara Rori Sahib, the memorable gurudwara of Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana at Jahman Village close to Lahore.
Hallway to Gurdwara Lahura Sahib, outside Ghawind town close to Lahore.
The passageway to Gurudwara Jhari Sahib, the memorable gurudwara related with Guru Amar Das at Tergay town in Kasur District.
Hallway to noteworthy Gurdwara Bhai Bahlol at Qadiwind town in Kasur District.
Hallway to Gurudwara Chhevin Patshahi Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib at Padhana town close to Lahore.
Moreover, there has been a solicitation by the Kashmiri Pandit people group for a hall permitting them to visit the Sharada Peeth sanctuary. In March 2019, Pakistani media announced that Pakistan is investigating the chance of a hallway for Indian explorers, and might be near endorsing a plan. However, the Pakistani government has since said that a choice has not been made.
Likewise, a Western Pahari Corridor from Shimla to Murree has additionally been proposed under the Amanki Asha drive to connect the comparative Western Pahari language-based locales of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Azad Kashmir, and Pothohar Plateau for supporting business and social ties.

My Expereince

The morning of NOVEMBER 28,2021 was exciting, in fact, I didn’t sleep well last night due to the excitement. One of the items on my bucket list to cross the India-Pakistan border on foot was soon going to be a reality.

1. The bus journey from Amritsar to Dera Baba Nanak

I reached Amritsar and spent time exploring the known places. Had lunch at Kesar Da Dhaba and visited the holy shrine of Sikhs – SHRI HARMANDIR SAHIB. In the evening I inquired about the bus and eventually decided to ditch the train (due to timings from Amritsar) The plan was to leave Amritsar by 6 since it was going to be 1:30hrs long ride. But thanks to the cold weather, the sun wasn’t up till 8 and I didn’t start by 10 am.
Reaching the bus station, the chants of “Dera Dera Dera…” were calling me. This was from the shorter route and hence paid ₹60. The bus stops when anyone asks it to. Soon we were out of the chaotic Amritsar and entered the highway. The sight of lush green fields on both sides of the road was bliss. It was around 11:15 when I reached Dera Baba Nanak. I checked google maps and saw that the terminal was just 2.5 km, so decided to walk to Kartarpur Corridor. Further, since I was already late, didn’t visit Dera Nanak Gurudwara.

2. Walk to the Kartarpur Corridor terminal – India

The walk to the terminal goes through all the narrow lanes in Dera Baba Nanak. I was walking with my earphones and phone in hand with a huge backpack as many stared at me. Soon I joined the Kartarpur Corridor road via the service lane. That’s when I got the sight of the Indian flag and the first glimpse of the Pakistan flag at a distance. My excitement had no bounds as I was visiting Kartarpur Corridor!
I casually walked past a few BSF establishments and reached a check post of Punjab Police. Since I was on foot, the office inquired “Beta aapne kidnar jaana hai ?” (Where you want to go kid?) “Kartarpur jaana hai”, (want to go to Kartarpur) “Bina application kenahi ja sakta” (You can’t go without the documents) *Handed him my passport and ETA copy* “Very good ! Seedhe jao yahan se”.
There were tri-colored road dividers and it felt different. Soon I reached the entrance of the border terminal and was stopped by the BSF jawans. They asked for my passport and ETA and guided me to the terminal building.

3. Kartarpur Corridor Terminal – India

The first thing you see here is the flag, it’s possibly taller than the one in Connaught Place in Delhi. The next thing you see is a huge parking area. Then you see some art installations. One thing that you cannot miss out on is the construction work. There’s a lot of construction happening there and I thought it was all complete. You head to one of the 2 departure terminals and show your passport and ETA.
Once inside, it’s exactly like an Airport sans the lounge, shops, and flights. It isn’t crowded and the process is smooth. Once inside gave my bag for screening and then stopped at a screening area. It’s a medical screening area and everyone going from India is administered Do boondh zindagi ke aka Polio drops. (It tastes Yuck !) Yes, everyone, not only kids. The reason is that Polio is eradicated from India, so they want to ensure you don’t get it once you return from Pakistan. Also, most of the security personnel were wearing masks due to the Corona Virus outbreak.

4. Quick Immigration at Kartarpur Corridor – India

Next is the immigration where they check your passport and ETA form. Make sure that every detail on the form matches the passport. There was a lady who had applied using an expired passport and the authorities didn’t allow her to visit. This was my first immigration ever and was possibly the shortest and easiest. Once done, fill out the declaration form detailing all that you are carrying. Another round of baggage screening before you are at the departure.
Golf cars are waiting to ferry you to the border. The drive is a few seconds to the zero line but it’s a completely different feeling as you are surrounded by tall trees with BSF jawans keeping an eye. At the border, your passport and ETA are checked again. I realized that I was so excited that I forgot to take photos of the border!

5. Entering Pakistan via Kartarpur Corridor

The first sight you get of the Pakistan side of the border is at the final checkpoint where you are facing the border. You get off the golf car and are told to walk to Pakistan. Ticked off my bucket list – Cross India Pakistan Border on foot! Few Pakistani guards present there are still as a rock. Once you cross over and enter Pakistan, you are greeted by a Pakistani Jawan. “Humare Mulq mein aapka swagat hai.” is what I was told and I shook my hands with a warm hug before I proceeded to another golf car to the immigration. The website mentions that you can walk to the immigration, but while going they didn’t allow me to walk. A quick drive and you reach the Pakistan Immigration terminal.

6. Kartarpur Corridor Terminal – Pakistan

The building on the Pakistan side is no less than an architectural marvel. First things first, you have two counters there. One for the money exchange and the other for the entry fee. As I mentioned earlier, there’s an entry fee of $20 per head which needs to be paid in USD ONLY. Due to lack of time, I couldn’t arrange for the cash and had to get it exchanged here. The rate was pretty bad, 1USD=79Rs, so paid ₹@1790. They don’t accept cards and you need to pay in cash only. Plus they don’t have change and want the exact amount. So I gave them ₹2500 for a $20 entry fee and the remaining for Pakistani Rupee. Got about 1400 PKR. At the next counter, you pay the entry fee and get a receipt. You take this receipt and enter the Pakistan Immigration. (Keep this receipt safe)

7. Quick Immigration at Kartarpur Corridor – Pakistan

Once you are in Pakistan you don’t need the ETA form. It’s only your passport that is required. However, keep the ETA form safe as you need to deposit it once you return to India. At every step, you are greeted by the Pakistani forces which makes you feel welcomed. I made a conscious effort to use Salaam–Alaikum instead of Namaste, Shukriya instead of Thank You, and Janab instead of Sir. The process is quite similar to that of the one in India. A passport is scanned, photo and fingerprint is recorded. And a small talk at almost every step 🙂.

8. Bus ride to GurudwaraDarbar Sahib

Based on the timing and availability, you may be the only one on the bus. And that was my case. It was almost 12 when I reached and most people told me you are late as many go back by this time. The entire stretch is surrounded by lush green fields and barbed fences alongside Pakistan Watchtowers with the Pakistan flag. I don’t know why they have the flag everywhere. Anyways, the road is amazing as you zoom towards the Gurudwara. Crossing over the Ravi river and getting the first proper glimpse of Darbar Sahib amidst the fog.
During the journey, chatted with the driver, security personnel, and another officer about education, employment, and everything else. Upon reaching the Gurudwara, you are greeted again and your passport and entry stamp is verified again. That’s the last point when your documents are verified until you return. And there I was, at the Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Narowal, Pakistan !

9. Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara

The Gurudwara has two separate entries for Indians and Pakistanis before they meet inside the premise. The main Gurudwara is in the center and the whole complex surrounding it, terminal buildings, and roads were made within 10 months by Imran Khan and the team. And that’s why I felt $20 is justified. Kudos to them for such a beautiful facility. The complex is huge and extremely well maintained. The Gurudwara and the complex stand tall in white and shine bright.

It’s a huge open area where people walk, talk and relax with the main shrine in the middle. Though it mentions covering your head inside the premise, it’s not strictly followed. Also, the whole religious feel of the place is subdued due to the location and the fact that Indians and Pakistanis visiting the area. Nonetheless, the main shrine is extremely well maintained and it’s just to cover your head when going inside. The hymns are played on the first floor, and you have a place to sit there. First things first, I headed to the main shrine for darshan and spent some time soaking in the atmosphere.
The facilities are top-notch. There’s a locker facility where you can keep your bags. Ample public convenience and drinking water setups. There’s also one Religious Discussion room where there are art installations by Pakistani artists showcasing Sikhism from their point of view. There were some really nice installations there!
And how can one not have the Langar when at a Gurudwara! And when you are visiting Kartarpur Corridor, you cannot miss out on the langar. There’s a langar hall beside it and it’s extremely clean. Though it’s not as big as the ones at Golden Temple or Hazur Sahib in Nanded, it can house quite a few people. On that day there was Masala Rice, Chana Dal, and Roti and as always it was extremely delicious!

10. Meet and Greet Pakistanis at Gurudwara

Further, like we Indians are given a yellow tag, Pakistanis are given blue or red tags. Couldn’t ask why it is so. I was looking for anyone with this tag and started talking with them. You start talking to one, and soon there’s a group of people around you. You share your interests, work, life, food, cricket, and everything else. Lots of selfies and photos taken, numbers exchanged and social media following starts. And yes people in Pakistan are PUBG addicts too! And lastly, everyone there felt the need for more such initiatives where common people can meet and spread love and happiness. I met quite a few people and it was amazing to know their side of the story.

11. Shopping at Kartarpur Corrdior

When you have foreigners (read Indians) visiting Kartarpur Corridor, how can you not have a shopping area? Right next to the Pakistani entrance is a small shopping complex. There are small shops selling everything from handicraft items, to food, and clothes. There’s also a money exchange counter there. I did have some cash to spend and being a foodie, I bought eatables. I visited the tuck shop there and bought chocolates, biscuits, chips, and drinks. All of it is not available in India. Apart from these, I also bought Hafiz SohanHalwa from there. Below is my shopping loot after visiting Kartarpur Corridor.

12. Kartarpur Corridor – Experience of a lifetime

I started this Kartarpur Corridor series by mentioning that it is a landmark step in the history of India and Pakistan relations. So before anything else, the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan deserves applause for this initiative. The entire facility was built for the Indian pilgrims and must say they’ve done amazing work. The whole process is seamless and you get the utmost care, attention, and affection. Mr. Modi to deserves his share of applause too for this.
It’s great that anyone and everyone is allowed to visit the Kartarpur Corridor irrespective of their religion. Further, this is the only place where you can meet and greet Pakistani people. Because apparently getting a Pakistani Visa isn’t easy. I would suggest you plan a darshan to the Gurudwara and get an experience of a lifetime. Trust me doing darshan in a foreign country especially Pakistan, meeting like-minded people and walking across the border, and returning back to India is surreal. I made a lot of friends there and inshallah we will plan to meet again at the same place.

Top 13 Interesting Facts About Kartarpur Corridor

The Kartarpur corridor involves a road link for Sikh pilgrims to visit the famous Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan, which is around three-four km from the International Border.
The 16th-century Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on the banks of the river Ravi is important for Sikhs as Guru Nanak Dev, their main guru, spent 18 years here. The gurudwara was established by the first Sikh Guru in 1522.
For decades, Sikh devotees have been demanding that India and Pakistan collaborate to build a corridor linking it with the Dera Baba Nanak in the Gurdaspur district.
Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had first suggested the corridor when he took the bus trip to Lahore in 1999.
At a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 22, the corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to the Pakistan border was approved. “Visa arrangements will be made. The corridor will be 3 to 4 kilometers long,” said union finance minister Arun Jaitley, announcing the decision.
Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu and Amarinder Singh attended the ground-breaking ceremony in Gurdaspur’s Mann village near the border. On Wednesday, Pakistan will launch its part of the project. Two union ministers will travel to Pakistan for the event after Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj declined the invite.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has also declined to visit Pakistan, saying he would not visit the country unless it ended violence against India.
His minister Navjot Sidhu has asked the center for permission to visit Pakistan. He landed in trouble in September when he was seen on camera embracing Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Bajwa.
Mr. Sidhu said the embrace was a spontaneous reaction to the Pak army chief saying Islamabad was ready to proceed on the Kartarpur corridor on Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary. His boss Amarinder Singh, however, was far less friendly towards the Pak army chief yesterday as he said “Which army teaches to violate the ceasefire and kill jawans on the other side? Which army teaches to send people to attack Pathankot and Amritsar? This is cowardice.”
In another controversy hours before the ceremony in Gurdaspur, a Congress minister pasted black tape on his name and that of Amarinder Singh from a plaque, objecting to the names of Akali Dal leaders on it.
Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is located on the bank of river Ravi (Rabi) in Pakistan.
The foundation stone was laid in Gurdaspur on 26 November 2018 and marks the initiation of the Kartarpur Corridor. Further, on 28 November 2018 in Pakistan, the foundation stone was laid down.
The 4.10 km approx long Highway connects Dera Baba Nanak from Gurdaspur-Amritsar Highway to the International border.