ZERO POINT – The first phase of the Kartapur Sahib Corridor (KSC) beingconstructed at the Pak-India border in Narowal district will be opened inthe second week of November for facilitating the Sikh community from acrossthe globe to offer religious rituals in Nankana Sahib.
About 90 percent of construction work on the first phase of project spreadover 800 acres of land had been completed, KSC Project Director Atif Majidsaid.Majid said the construction work was divided in three parts, including theentry point at Pak-India border, Border Terminal Building (immigrationcontrol) and Gurdwara Complex having capacity to accommodate around 10,000pilgrims at a time.Gurdwara Sahib is considered to be the holiest place for Sikhs, which isthe last resting place of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, where had spent the last18 years of his life in preaching.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in November 2018 had performed the groundbreaking of the project with the resolve to open the facility for the‘Nanak namlevas’ irrespective of their religion on November 12, 2019, the550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.While designing the architectural and structural layout of the GurdwaraComplex, the religious and cultural sensitivities of the Sikh communityhave been kept in view.
The project spreads over 823 acres of land, including the construction of608 kilometers long access road, 800 meters bridge over realigned RiverRavi, and remodeling and expansion of the Gurdwara Complex over an area of330 acres with provision of additional facilities for increased number ofpilgrims.
The construction of Border Terminal Building spreading over about 14 acresalong with 2.8 kilometers long flood protection bund is being carried at afast pace to meet the deadline.Another bridge in the area at Budhi River creek of about 262 Km will beconstructed at the demand of Indian side in the second phase.
A 52,000 square feet purpose-made building to cater speedy immigration ofpilgrims is being constructed having 76 counters with a provision oferecting same number more for catering the additional influx.
The Sikh pilgrims will have the choice to visit Gurdwara on foot or ontransport provided by the Government of Pakistan. Special buses andelectric carts are being procured for the purpose.About 400 acres of land has been acquired from the local people for theextension of the complex in the days to come on need basis. The complexincludes a court yard of 10 acres around the main Gurdwara building, with aBaradari having “darshan deories, sarvars, devan asthan,” amenities and 20dormitories to host more than 500 pilgrims.
Read Top Stories
A purpose-built Langar Hall over 28,190 square feet for serving over 2,000pilgrims at a time is being constructed, besides a guest accommodation area(Tent village) over 115,880 sq feet having 20 dormitories and 40 familyrooms with facilities to host about 700 pilgrims intending for night stay.Over 25 acres land with additional 36 acres is designated as “Kheti Sahib”where cultivation of crops on the land titled by Gruru Nanak will be doneand served in the Langar Khana.
Offering medical aid to the pilgrims, medical emergency center and kioskarea is being developed, besides arranging dedicated security of thepilgrims will be provided to ensure hassle free visit of pilgrims.
The KSC project director said special efforts had been made to ensurepreservation of religious sacred sites with the Gurdwara courtyard as allthe designing of the Gurdwara had been carried out with the consultation ofPakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC).
He said as a goodwill gesture the project management had decided toconstruct roads linking the adjacent villages, besides renovating existingschool and mosque buildings. Meanwhile, he said, the area people had beenhired for undertaking various services during construction of the project.
