Visitor:  5413766 Date:  , Nankana Sahib Time :

Kartarpur Corridor hits snag as Modi govt eyes political gain

LAHORE: Sikhs all over the world are worried over India deliberately delaying the construction of the Kartarpur Corridor.

Pakistan and India are yet finalise modalities for the construction of the corridor that is aimed at easing travel for Indian pilgrims visiting one of the holiest sites of the Sikh faith in Pakistan. Gurdwara Darbar Sahib – located in the Kartarpur area of Narowal district of Punjab – is the final resting place of the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Devji, and one of the holiest shrines of the Sikh community. Pakistan has completed about 60% construction of the project. However, on the other side of the border, work on Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak in India is being carried out at a snail’s pace.

According to sources, the corridor is unlikely to be completed on time because of the internal strife and politics of India. However, there are chances that the corridor may see a ceremonial opening by November this year. While Pakistan is making serious progress in the development of the corridor, the two sides have been unable to chalk out a joint strategy on the project because of the delay tactics on part of the Indian government.

Pakistan in its budget for the new fiscal year has proposed an allocation of Rs1 billion for the construction of the corridor. The overall cost of the project remains in excess of Rs12 billion. Pakistan intends to open up the corridor before the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak this November. According to senior Indian analyst and journalist Ravinder Singh Roban, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in India does not want to let go off the Kartarpur Corridor card.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishes to deprive cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu and the government of Indian Punjab of the credit of playing a key role in the project.