Kartarpur corridor project not being commercialised: Pak Punjab guv

Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, July 16

Pakistan has acquired more land for development of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur and the total land of premises has got expanded to 104 acres. Pakistan Punjab Governor Chaudhary Mohammad Sarvar inspected the ongoing development work in the shrine premises today.

The Governor brushed aside “rumours” that the entire project was being commercialised. He cleared the air over the issue saying the only structure standing on 104 acres of land was that of the gurdwara and every effort has been made to preserve the Sikh heritage and culture. “No modifications were being effected to the gurdwara sahib building or premises and the two ancient wells were intact.”

He said the Sikh community should not believe in such rumours and rather they should come to Pakistan to see how the Sikh shrines were looked after well. For pilgrims who want to walk to the gurdwara, a path has been constructed.

Pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib would enter from the Indian side on buses and those who would intend to walk till the shrine will alight from buses at a designated point and cover the remaining distance on foot. A path has been laid for those who wanting to walk up to the gurdwara.

Sarvar and other senior officials, including the Narowal Deputy Commissioner and architect Parvez Qureshi, inspected the bridge on Ravi and the road from the zero line to the shrine.

Pawan Singh Arora, an aide to the Governor, said all contruction and other works were being carried out in consultation with the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee so as to ensure that there was no deviation from the Sikh protocol, heritage and culture.

Sarvar was informed by the officials that 80 per cent of the work has been completed and work was being carried out at much faster pace on Pakistan side than on the Indian side for the workers were busy in construction work day and night.