Operations at the corridor had been suspended since March 16, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic

In a move that will benefit a large number of Sikh pilgrims, India has decided to resume operations of the Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from November 17.

The decision has been taken keeping in view improved Covid-19 situation, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said on Tuesday.

Operations at the corridor to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, located in Pakistan, had been suspended since March 16, 2020 on account of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The decision of the Modi Government to resume operations of the Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor shows the sensitivity of the Modi Government towards the Sikh community, the home ministry said.

Pilgrimage through the Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor would be facilitated as per existing procedures and adherence to Covid protocols.

The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah had earlier held review meetings with officials to expedite resumption of the operation of the Corridor at an opportune time.

India had signed an Agreement with Pakistan on October 24, 2019 on the modalities for operationalization of the Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor at Zero Point, International Boundary, Dera Baba Nanak.

Representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Home Affairs along with the representatives from Government of Punjab were present during the signing ceremony.

The Union Cabinet had passed a resolution on November 22, 2018 to celebrate the historic occasion of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Devji in a grand and befitting manner, throughout the country and across the globe.

The Union Cabinet had also approved the building and development of the Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to the International Boundary, to facilitate pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, round the year, in a smooth and easy manner, the home ministry recalled.