Kartarpur corridor will be opened on 2 November 2019 and the first group of Indian Sikh pilgrims will enter the country on 9 November 2019 to attend the birth anniversary of the Sikh religion’s founder Baba Guru Nanak Devji. The ceremony will be held from 10 to 12 November 2019.
The Pakistan-Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee head Sardar Tara Singh said that “It is our request that the Kartarpur corridor is opened on November 8 or 9 so that Sikh pilgrims can reach Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. It is requested that the same pilgrims be allowed also to visit Nankana Sahib without a visa,”
He further told about the event that, this year Nakana Sahab will host more than 60% to 70% of the usual number of Sikh pilgrims compared to last years. Arrangements for over 100,000 guests will be made at the venue and around 10,000 pilgrims from around the world will also be hosted.
Construction work on this side of the corridor has been 80% completed from zero lines to Gurdwara Sahib. Buildings, roads, and bridges are almost completed, ‘langar khana’, ‘darshan khana’, admin block and washrooms are also completed and electrical work is under process. The ‘Nishan Sahib’ will be hosted at a height of 150 feet on a piece of agricultural land and it could be observed from Indian territory as well.
Tera Singh added that the committee wishes to work jointly with India’s Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for the arrangements of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji. The Parbandhak Committee is currently being consulted for the planning of the event.
The corridor which connects Pakistan and India from Narowal and Gurdaspur respectively aims to provide visa-free access to Sikh pilgrims to a gurdwara in Kartarpur Sahib where Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life.
