96,555 visited Sikh shrine Kartarpur Sahib in 2023, paid Rs 16 crore in fee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 9

In all, 96, 555 Indian nationals travelled to the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan in 2023. They collectively paid more than $ 2 million (approx Rs 16 crore in Indian currency) as fee that is charged at $20 for each visitor to gain visa-free entry.

The Rajya Sabha was informed about the details of visitors on Thursday. In 2022 , Indian visitors to the gurdwara were 86,097.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the Government of India has consistently urged the Government of Pakistan that in deference to the wishes of the pilgrims, it should not levy any fee or a charge on the pilgrims who visit the gurdwara. However, it continues to levy a fee on every pilgrim for each visit.

A bilateral agreement was signed between India and Pakistan on October 24, 2019, regarding use of a corridor for pilgrims to travel to the gurdwara located just 2 km away from the Indian border in Gurdaspur district of Punjab.