New Delhi: Ahead of Gurpurab on November 19, India on Tuesday announced to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from November 17. The Corridor which provides rare visa-free travel from India to Pakistan and vice versa for pilgrims to pray at Holy Gurudwara Darbar Sahib was closed since March last year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.


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It has now been reopened ahead of Gurpurab, the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru and founder of Sikhism -- Guru Nanak. 


The Gurudwara, notably, is considered to be one of the holiest places in Sikhism and is believed to be the final resting place of Guru Nanak. 


Taking to Twitter, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "In a major decision, that will benefit large numbers of Sikh pilgrims, PM Narendra Modi 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."



"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 Narendra Modi govt’s decision to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib corridor will further boost the joy and happiness across the country," Shah added.



The 4.7-km-long corridor was opened with much fanfare in November 2019 on the occasion of Gurpurab. 


Recently, several Punjabi leaders had also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and had requested him to open the corridor. 


The development came amid India gradually opening up for international travellers as the number of daily COVID-19 cases continues to decline. 


India on Monday had opened for foreign tourists after 20 months.​


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