Correct Answer:
A. 2019
The correct answer is 2019. The Kartarpur Corridor, a historic visa-free border crossing between India and Pakistan, was officially inaugurated on November 9, 2019, to facilitate Sikh pilgrims visiting the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan.
Historic Opening of the Kartarpur Corridor
- Inauguration Date: The corridor was formally opened on November 9, 2019, just days before the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. The timing was symbolic, marking a significant moment of interfaith harmony.
- Agreement and Construction: Both India and Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding in October 2019 after rapid construction on both sides. Pakistan completed its side of the corridor, a 4.7 km road, in record time.
- Guru Nanak's Final Resting Place: The corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak in India's Punjab state to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan's Punjab province, where Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life. The gurdwara is one of the holiest sites for Sikhs worldwide.
- Visa-Free Pilgrimage: Indian pilgrims are allowed to visit without a visa, using a special permit. The crossing operates daily, allowing up to 5,000 pilgrims per day. This landmark initiative has been described as a "Corridor of Peace."
Thus, the Kartarpur Corridor became operational in the year 2019.