Movement of pilgrims in the 4.7 km long Kartarpur corridor was closed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
After Pakistan reopened the Kartarpur corridor on its side, India on Saturday said that a decision on re-opening of the corridor a 4.7 km long passage that connects Dera Baba Nanak Sahib in Gurdaspur in India with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur in Pakistan will be taken in accordance with the Covid protocol and easing of restrictions.
“Movement (of pilgrims in the Kartarpur corridor) was suspended in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak. We remain in touch with all concerned authorities including Ministries of Home Affairs and Health & Family Welfare. A decision on re-opening of the corridor would be taken in accordance with the Covid Protocol and easing of restrictions,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in response to media queries.
“At the time of opening of the Kartarpur corridor last year and in the bilateral agreement signed in October 2019, it was decided that both sides shall establish requisite infrastructure including construction of a bridge at Budhi Ravi Channel at the earliest for safe and hassle-free movement of pilgrims,” he added.
“One year hence, Pakistan is yet to construct the bridge while it is ready at our end. A technical meeting with Pakistan was also facilitated and two teams met on August 27, 2020. There is, however, no progress on part of Pakistan,” he further added.
On Friday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs issued a notification saying that Indian visitors are allowed to come to visit Kartarpur Sahib daily from dawn to dusk as per the bilateral agreement made in 2019 between India and Pakistan.