Cabinet approves development of Kartarpur corridor project

Union Cabinet has approved building and development of Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to International Border. 

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, Kartarpur corridor project with all modern amenities and facilities will be implemented with Central Government funding. It will provide a smooth and easy passage to pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib throughout the year. 

In a tweet, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, Pakistan will be urged to reciprocate and develop a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory. In another major decision, the Union Cabinet has decided to develop the historic town of Sultanpur Lodhi as heritage town on Smart City principles. 

The heritage complex at Sultanpur Lodhi, Pind Babe Nanak da will be developed to depict life in the times of Guru Nanak Devji. Sultanpur Lodhi railway station will be upgraded and



developed.

The Cabinet also passed a resolution to celebrate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji, which falls in 2019, throughout the country and across the globe. Mr Jaitley said Commemorative coin and postage stamps will be released by the Government of India to mark this momentous occasion. He said religious activities will be organised throughout the country.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh welcomed the Centre's decision to build and develop a corridor to facilitate Sikh pilgrims from India to visit holy Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan. In a statement in Chandigarh, he said the move will facilitate lakhs of pilgrims desirous of visiting the Kartarpur gurdwara.

Singh also hailed the Centre's move to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev on a grand scale, globally, and  thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for acceding to his personal requests in this regard.