#Pakistan is all set to inaugurate the #KatarpurCorridor that will enable pilgrims from #India to come to Pak & pay their religious rites at the Shrine of Baba Guru Nanak. Inauguration is to take place on 9th Nob'19. This thread is a detailed explainer on the Kartarpur Corridor
Gurudwara Darbar Sahib is located at 4.5KMs from International Border in Distrcit Narowal, Pakistan. It is one of the holest places for Sikhs. The ground breaking of the #KartarpurCorridor project was done by Pak PM on 28th Nov'18.
The #KartapurCorridor project is expanded on a total area of 823 acres of land. It is spread over a total area of 6.5KMs. It has a Gurudwara complex that is spread over an area of currently 104 acres and likely to be increased to 330 acres. Cont
The #KartarpurCorridor project also has a border terminal, currently an 800M bridge over Ravi river, 2.8KMs of flood protection bunds and a to be constructed 262m bridge at Zero point over Budhi Ravi creek.
The Gurudwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur, which is the center of the #KartarpurCorridor has now been expanded to 104 acres. Pre partition as legend has it, the area of this gurudwara complex was 44 acres, whereas the total occupancy was 102 acres. This was PRE PARTITION.
Post partition The Gurudwara complex was at 2 Acres only. in 1980's Zia ul Haq ordered expansion of the Gurudwara and to fix its surroundings, the total space of Gurudwara Darbar Sahib was then expanded to 4 acres. #KartarpurCorridor
When #KartarpurCorridor project was initiated, after careful considerations. Govt of Pakistan decided to restore the Gurudwara area as to its pre partition position. Currently the Gurudwara complex has been expanded to 44 acres with the total area of the corridor being 102acres.
Total area of Gurudwara complex now stands @ 44 acres which has 10 acres of courtyard around building, 152,000sqft of Baradari, Purpose built Langar hall over 28,190sqft which can house over 2,000 pilgrims at one time. the MehmanaKhana is over 115,880sqft area. #KartarpurCorridor
In order to facilitate the pilgrims coming from #India, at the #KartapurCorridor on Pak side, #Pakistan has established an immigration terminal which has a total area of 52,000sqft. The terminal has 76 counters with another 50 can be added to facilitate pilgrims coming from India
Pilgrims coming from India would have a choice to visit the Gurudwara on foot or via bus which would be provided by Government of Pakistan at the #KartarpurCorridor.
Once a pilgrim enters from #KartapurCorridor into Pakistan from India, he or she would have to walk exactly 270Meters to get to the Pakistani immigration terminal. They would first pay the 20$ service fees which will be used for corridor's functions itself.
After paying the 20$ fees, the pilgrim from #India into #Pakistan through #KartarpurCorridor would be given a paid slip and issued an RFID, an electronic ID card. the 20$ fees per pilgrim per entry only covers 1/3rd of the actual cost the Gurudwara and the corridors functions
After they are done with immigration, the Gurudwara is 4KMs away .Timings for function of the #KartarpurCorridor is from Dawn to dusk - Corridor will be functional from 7am in the morning until 5pm in evening. Pilgrims from #India would have to exit the same day from #Pakistan
The #KartarpurCorridor has been fenced all along the 6KMs of construction that Pakistan has done. In order to avoid pilgrims from itnermingling, entry in the Gurudwara compound would be through the RFIDs. Those coming from India to Pak can enter until 1130AM PST from 7AM PST
Those coming from #India to #Pakistan through the #KartarpurCorridor would have to exit between 1230PM PST until 5PM PST in the evening. Pakistan will allow over 5,000 Indian pilgrims to enter WITHOUT a visa, the passports of those coming from India will NOT be stamped.
First of its kind of a visa free initiative between #India and #Pakistan. #KartarpurCorridor is a Pakistan led initiative primarily because the Gurudwara is on the Pak side, in any case any initiation on it had to be done from Govt of Pak. Corridor has been long demand of Sikhs
What Pakistan has done is exemplary, the #KartarpurCorridor is wonder of engineering given the complexities and deadlines involved. The work done by Pak side on the Corridor was estimated to be done in 3-5years by international private vendors. #Pakistan #India
The #KartapurCorridor will have a 10,000 yatree catered tent village as well. The MehmanKhana can house over 700 pilgrims if the intend to stay over the night. For the facilitation of yatrees, a medical emergency center and kiosk area too has been built.
