SGPC urges reopening of Kartarpur corridor, waiver of pilgrim fee

Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has urged the Centre to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor and asked the Pakistan govt to waive the US$20 fee charged from pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan through the corridor.SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said on Thursday that the pending demand of Sikh devotees reflects their deep religious sentiments and desire to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan, which is the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev.He said the corridor should be reopened without delay to ensure smooth access for pilgrims. Ahead of the Baisakhi pilgrimage, visa-stamped passports were distributed to devotees at the SGPC office in Amritsar during the day. The Sikh jatha is scheduled to leave at 8am on April 10 to visit historic gurdwaras in Pakistan and take part in Khalsa Sajna Diwas (Baisakhi) events.According to SGPC officials, 1,795 passports were submitted for visa processing this year, of which 1,763 pilgrims were granted visas by the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi.