Prime minister Imran Khan formally inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor at a colourful ceremony in time for the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. Former Indian PM Manmohan Singh led the first delegation of Sikh pilgrims as they crossed into Pakistan.
The task for the construction of the Pakistani side of the Kartarpur corridor was given to the rugged and experienced Frontier Works Organization (FWO) which constructed 4.7 kilometres (2.9 mi) of dedicated expressways, including an 800-metre (2,600 ft) bridge over the River Ravi, opened an immigration office, and expanded the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur to accommodate the incoming pilgrims. The first phase of construction is now complete. According to sources the corridor on the Pakistani side has been established with a cost of $14.8 million.
In the second phase a complex will be established near the Kartarpur Shrine. The Complex will have an international standard hotel, hundreds of apartments, two commercial areas and two car parking lots, Border Facility Area, a power grid station, tourist information centre and several offices.
According to sources, Government of Pakistan is also working to construct a motorway between Sialkot International Airport to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur Corridor Complex for cater international traffic of tourists and Sikhs.
