Jalandhar, October 01, 2005
UNI
The Pakistan government has assured to hand over 100
acres of land around the historic Kartarpur (Ravi)
Sahib Gurdwara in Narowal district of Pakistan to
the Gurdwara Management for infra-structure development
around the shrine.
Talking to reporters here today, Gurdwara Kartarpur
(Ravi) Darshan Abhilashi Sanstha chief Kuldip Singh
Wadala said the land would be transferred to the shrine
free of cost in lieu of land donated by devotees to
the gurdwara in different villages.
Mr Wadala, who had recently visited the shrine alongwith
a jatha of Sikh pilgrims, said Pakistani authorities
had informed him that the present occupants of the
land around the gurdwara would be shifted at the gurdwara's
land available in different villages.
The possession of the land would be handed over to
the gurdwara management by next year, he said.
He said the facilities for visiting pilgrims, including
rest houses and langer halls, would be created around
the shrine.
Mr Wadala said a school, a college and a medical
college are proposed to be opened by the gurdwara
management committee at the shrine land in collaboration
with Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC).
He said the Pakistan Government and PSGPC were showing
keen interest in the development of the shrine. About
Rs eight crore had already been spent by the Pakistan
government for the purpose, he said.
He said that various NRI Sikhs organisations had
offered financial contributions for the development
of the historic shrine.
Kartarpur Sahib is the place where Guru Nanak Dev
had stayed for 18 years.
UNI SS HS RR PC1749