Kartarpur Corridor Approval by Punjab Government

The Kartarpur Corridor is one of the most significant initiatives in the history of India–Pakistan relations and a landmark in promoting peace, faith, and cross-border religious harmony. The Punjab Government’s approval and support for the establishment of this corridor reflects both the state’s commitment to Sikh heritage and its aspiration to strengthen people-to-people ties across borders.

Background and Historical Significance

The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, located in Narowal district of Pakistan, holds immense spiritual importance for Sikhs worldwide. It is the place where Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, spent the last 18 years of his life and attained Joti Jot (spiritual union with the divine) in 1539.
For decades, devotees from India could only view the shrine from across the border, through binoculars set up near the Dera Baba Nanak area in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India. The long-standing demand of the Sikh community to have direct access to the shrine led to calls for creating a visa-free passage between the two countries.
The Punjab Government, recognising the deep emotional and religious sentiment associated with Kartarpur Sahib, played a crucial role in advocating, approving, and facilitating the development of the Kartarpur Corridor, which connects Dera Baba Nanak (India) with Kartarpur Sahib (Pakistan).

Initial Proposal and Government Approval

The idea of a corridor connecting the two holy sites dates back to the late 1990s, but it gained concrete momentum under the Government of Punjab in the run-up to the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 2019.
The Punjab Government formally approved and supported the proposal for the Kartarpur Corridor in November 2018, coinciding with the 550th Prakash Purab celebrations. The initiative was proposed jointly by the State Government of Punjab and the Union Government of India, with bipartisan political consensus recognising its religious and humanitarian importance.
Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh at the time strongly backed the proposal, urging the Central Government to take it up diplomatically with Pakistan. The Punjab Cabinet, in its official meeting held in 2018, unanimously endorsed the plan and pledged full state support for land acquisition, road construction, and local infrastructure development for the Indian side of the corridor.

Formal Approval and Foundation Stone Ceremony

Following Punjab’s recommendation, the Union Cabinet of India, chaired by the Prime Minister, gave formal approval on 22 November 2018 for the construction of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to the International Border.
Subsequently:

• The foundation stone on the Indian side was laid by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on 26 November 2018 at Mann village, Gurdaspur.
• On the Pakistan side, the foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Imran Khan on 28 November 2018 at Kartarpur.

This simultaneous initiative symbolised cooperation across borders for a humanitarian and spiritual cause.

Infrastructure Development on the Indian Side

The construction and development of the Indian portion of the corridor were undertaken by the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, with full logistical and administrative support from the Punjab Government.
The state government facilitated:

• Land acquisition for the corridor and passenger terminal building at Dera Baba Nanak.
• Coordination with district authorities to ensure timely construction.
• Development of access roads, parking, sanitation, and security infrastructure around the corridor.
• Beautification and heritage enhancement projects at Dera Baba Nanak and nearby religious sites.

The Kartarpur Corridor Integrated Check Post (ICP) was constructed at a cost of approximately ₹120 crore, with modern immigration and security facilities, ensuring a seamless pilgrimage experience.

Opening of the Corridor

The Kartarpur Corridor was officially inaugurated on 9 November 2019, two days before the 550th Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The historic opening allowed Sikh pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, without a visa, marking a monumental event in Sikh and South Asian history.
The corridor allows:

• Visa-free travel for Indian pilgrims holding a valid passport.
• A maximum daily quota of up to 5,000 pilgrims, as agreed between India and Pakistan.
• Registration and clearance through an online portal maintained by the Government of India.

Objectives and Significance

The establishment of the Kartarpur Corridor holds multi-dimensional importance for Punjab and the Sikh community:

1. Religious and Cultural Fulfilment: The corridor fulfils a 70-year-old dream of Sikh devotees to visit the resting place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji without the need for a visa.
2. Symbol of Peace and Brotherhood: It stands as a rare example of India–Pakistan cooperation for a spiritual cause, promoting goodwill and inter-faith understanding.
3. Tourism and Economic Development: The corridor has stimulated religious tourism and local economic growth in the Gurdaspur region, generating employment and infrastructure development.
4. Strengthening Punjab’s Cultural Identity: The project enhances Punjab’s global image as a centre of Sikh heritage and spirituality, attracting pilgrims and scholars from across the world.

Punjab Government’s Continued Role

Post-inauguration, the Punjab Government continues to play an active role in the corridor’s administration and pilgrim facilitation through:

• Coordination with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for security and border management.
• Maintenance of the Dera Baba Nanak shrine complex and visitor amenities.
• Collaboration with religious organisations such as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for managing pilgrim activities.
• Running awareness campaigns for online registration and ensuring smooth movement during major Sikh festivals.

Challenges and Management

While the corridor represents a symbol of faith and peace, several administrative and diplomatic challenges have arisen:

• Intermittent closures due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and border tensions.
• Coordination issues between India and Pakistan regarding security protocols and communication.
• Infrastructure upkeep due to high pilgrim influx during festivals.

Despite these challenges, the Punjab Government remains committed to ensuring the corridor operates smoothly and continues to serve as a corridor of peace and spiritual unity.

Symbolic Importance

The Kartarpur Corridor has become a living symbol of Guru Nanak’s message of universal brotherhood and peace. It represents Punjab’s enduring spirit of harmony and the Sikh community’s global yearning for unity and devotion.
It also highlights Punjab’s role as a bridge between nations and faiths, carrying forward a legacy of openness, compassion, and mutual respect that transcends political boundaries.