Taxila: The inauguration of the Baba Guru Nanak railway station will take place in November 2019, a news source quoted Minister of Railways Sheikh Rashid as saying. While visiting the Gurdwara Punja Sahib Hassanabdal, Rashid talked to reporters, met with leaders of various Indian jathas, and welcomed the Sikh yatrees (pilgrims) visiting Pakistan for performing their religious rites during the Baisakhi Festival.
Rashid stated that the railways station, named after the founder of the Sikh religion, will be inaugurated two days before the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak to be held this November. The ceremony will take place in the presence of the pilgrims, he added.
The minister informed that the railways administration has decided to build a boundary wall from the Nankana Sahib railway station to Gurdwara Sahib. This measure is aimed at providing protection to the Sikh pilgrims. He said that the Punjab government will lease land from Pakistan Railways to build this wall. The Pakistan Railways officials, and those hailing from the federal government, have already finalised the particulars of this matter, he added.
As per reports, the Sikh pilgrims expressed their happiness over the opening of the Kartarpur corridor, and extended their thanks to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Rashid also announced that ticket prices will be 50% lower for the pilgrims next year.
He added that guest houses would be built at the Guru Nanak railway station. Also, the station will feature tiled floor and hand carts. These provisions will facilitate the pilgrims carrying personal belongings with them, and help them in directly entering the Gurdwara from the station.
The station’s name will be officially changed from Nankana Sahib to Baba Guru Nanak in November as well. The Railways Ministry is expected to issue a notification in this regard soon.
