Kartarpur Corridor: Pilgrims Can Carry Rs. 11K and 7-kg bag

India and Pakistan finally signed an agreement on Thursday to operationalize the Kartarpur Corridor paving way for Indian Sikh pilgrims to pay a visit to the holy Darbar Sahib shrine in Pakistan. Pakistan assured India to make sufficient provision for Langar (community kitchen) and distribution of Prasad.

The main point of contention in the signing of theKartarpur Corridor agreement was the insistence of Pakistan to levy $20 as aservice charge per pilgrim per visit. India has consistently urged Pakistan tonot levy any fee on the pilgrims.

However, India agreed for the agreement in theinterest of the pilgrims and timely opening of the Kartarpur Corridor beforethe 550^th Prakash Purab. While the agreement has been signed, Indiahas again urged Pakistan to reconsider its insistence on levying the fee.  

The home ministry has also issued dos and don'ts forthe pilgrims. It has been said that children below 13 years and elderly personsof about 75 years and above will have to travel in groups. The pilgrims willtravel in the morning and shall have to return the same day.

Pilgrims who wish to visit the Gurudwara Darbar Sahibin Kartarpur in Pakistan will be allowed to carry a maximum of Rs. 11,000 and a7-kg bag and will not be allowed to venture beyond the shrine.

It has also been said that eco-friendly material,preferably cloth bags should be used during the pilgrimage and the surroundingsshould be kept clean. The pilgrims will be allowed to visit only Sri KartarpurSahib and not anywhere outside.