Indian government to develop Kartarpur corridor till IB, urges Pak to build facilities too

In a landmark decision, on the eve of Guru Nanak Gurupurab, the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved building and development of Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to India-Pakistan International Border. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the Kartarpur corridor project, with all modern amenities and facilities, will be implemented with Central Government funding to provide smooth and easy passage to the pilgrims. The Indian government, which made the first move on the development of the Kartarpur corridor, will also urge Government of Pakistan to recognise the sentiments of the Sikh community and develop a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory as well.

During the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet passed a Resolution to celebrate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Devji, which falls in the year 2019, throughout the country and across the globe, in a grand manner along with the State Governments and the Indian Missions abroad. A High-Level Committee under the chairmanship of the Union Home Minister will review, monitor and oversee the implementation of these activities.

The development of Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to the international border will facilitate pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on the banks of the Ravi river, in Pakistan, where Shri Guru Nanak Devji spent eighteen years. With this infrastructure development, pilgrims would be able to visit the holy shrine throughout the year.

The Union Cabinet also decided to develop the historic town of Sultanpur Lodhi, associated with the life of Shri Guru Nanak Devji, as a heritage town and on the Smart City principles, including energy efficiency, to highlight Shri Guru Nanak Devji's emphasis on sustainability and reverence for nature. As a major attraction for pilgrims and tourists, a heritage complex at Sultanpur Lodhi, "Pind Babe Nanak da" will be established to depict life in the times of Shri Guru Nanak Devji. Sultanpur Lodhi railway station will be upgraded and developed with all the modern amenities.

The Ministry of Railways will run a train passing through the various holy places associated with Shri Guru Nanak Devji, for pilgrims and tourists.

A centre for interfaith studies will be set up at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. Chairs on Shri Guru Nanak Devji will be set up in one University each in the United Kingdom and Canada. In addition to this, an international seminar on the life and teachings of Shri Guru Nanak Devji will be organised in New Delhi.

The union government will also request all the States Governments and Union Territories to celebrate 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Devji in a befitting manner. The Indian missions overseas will also organise special events on the occasion. A commemorative coin and postage stamps will be released by the Government of India to mark this occasion. Besides, religious activities will be organised throughout the country. Doordarshan will telecast programmes on Shri Guru Nanak Devji and the Gurubani. National Book Trust will publish Gurbani in different Indian languages. UNESCO will be requested to translate and publish an anthology of Shri Guru Nanak Devji's writings in world languages.