The Kartarpur Corridor, which is the road to Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur will reopen tomorrow (November 17), two days before the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. The decision by Modi government will benefit a large number of Sikh pilgrims.
The Corridor was shut down in March 2020 owing to the Covid pandemic. Pilgrims have been urging the government to reopen it since the cases began to decline in India. The Centre, however,
blamed Pakistan for not reopening the 4.4 km corridor.
Significance of Kartarpur Corridor
The corridor provides a visa-free border crossing for pilgrims from India visiting the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan. Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib is the final resting place of Sikhism
founder Guru Nanak Dev.
The Gurudwara is considered to be one of the holiest places in Sikhism. It's believed to be the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev. The 4.7 km long corridor was opened with much fanfare
on November 9, 2019, on Gurpurab.
When Corridor was opened for the first time in 2019, pilgrims were confused about what papers and online procedures they needed to fill out to visit Kartarpur Sahib. After the corridor is
reopened on November 17, 2021, the same is likely to happen.
But, there is no need to worry. Here's the complete guide on how to apply for a visit to Kartarpur Darbar Sahib.
How to apply?
Visit the website, https://prakashpurb550.mha.gov.in. The site contains separate application forms for Indian pilgrims and OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) cardholders.
For registration, fill out the e-form and submit it online.
The website also displays the available dates for the journey, which can be chosen at your convenience.
Documents required to apply for Kartarpur Sahib visit
To visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib, you'll need a copy of your passport and your Aadhar card. The OCI card number is mandatory for OCI cardholders. Details such as the passport number,
expiration date, date of birth, Aadhaar number, and residential address must be provided.
Scanned copies of these documents and a recent passport size photo are also required for the registration application. Acrobat Reader software, which should be installed on the computer,
is required to upload the form and scanned copies of these documents.
Also Read: Ahead of Gurupurab, India likely to reopen Kartarpur Corridor Tomorrow, says Amit Shah
Moreover, only fully vaccinated individuals, with valid vaccination certificates will be allowed to enter Pakistan. Before travelling to Pakistan, you must have a negative RT-PCR test (within
72 hours).
When you arrive in Pakistan, you will be subjected to a RAT test. Individuals will be returned to India if the results are positive.
According to Pakistan's current Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs), an outdoor gathering of up to 300 people is permitted with strict adherence to Covid regulations such as mask-wearing
and social distancing.
These Covid related guidelines were issued in August 2021, when Pakistan decided to allow fully vaccinated Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib via the Kartarpur Corridor, ahead
of the 482nd death anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak on September 22.
Other formalities
Police verification is required. Soon after the applicant submits the form, a police team from the relevant city will arrive at the applicant's address and obtain copies of these documents.
The applicant would also be required to sign a declaration stating that he or she is solely visiting Pakistan to pay homage at the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara.
The applicant will receive an SMS with a registration number, four days prior to the journey date on his or her registered mobile number. To obtain an Electronic Travel Approval, you will
need the number as well as your passport details. The journey will require a printout of the ETA.
Is passport needed?
Yes.
Imran Khan, Pakistan's prime minister, announced that the passport condition had been lifted. However, in order for this to become official, both governments must sit down and amend the bilateral agreement that made the passport mandatory. The passport will not be required once it is completed on paper.