Border tension won’t affect Kartarpur project, says CM

vi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Dera Baba Nanak, March 1

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday claimed that the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan would not affect the ongoing construction work of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor.

“The 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak will kick off in November and we hope to complete the project by then. India is going ahead with the March 14 meeting to be held with Pakistan in New Delhi where the modalities will be finalised. This itself proves that the project is very much on,” said the Chief Minister.

Amarinder met villagers, BSF and Army officers in Haruwal village. He was accompanied by Cabinet minister and local MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and senior officers.

He said he intended to be a part of the first ‘jatha’ (group of pilgrims) that would pass through the corridor.

“I am at variance with the Pakistan Government’s proposal to let only 500 pilgrims cross the border every day. The corridor should facilitate the movement of any number of pilgrims who want to cross the border. Allowing just 500 persons per day defies logic and the very purpose of the project stands defeated if Pakistan sticks to its stand,” the CM added.

Randhawa said he had brought to the notice of the CM the demand of farmers who were claiming that they were not being adequately paid for the land acquired.

“The CM will be taking up the cause of the farmers with Union government officials as Punjab is not acquiring the land. The corridor is being constructed by the Surface Transport Ministry and hence the Union government will be paying the compensation,” said Randhawa.

Amarinder also raked up the issue of POWs across the border. “Pakistan should admit, and hence release all the POWs it has lodged in its jails.”