In contrast, crowds for a “Binocular Darshan” of the holy shrine from the Indian side have increased in the last two days to over 5,000 daily from the earlier approximately 250 daily. The 4.5-km corridor was expected to attract at least 5,000 pilgrims every day — the limit decided between India and Pakistan — after its November 9 inauguration

DERA BABA NANAK/AMRITSAR: Few pilgrims are making the trip through the Kartarpur corridor to Darbar Sahib Gurdwara. On Monday, only 130 went to the Gurdwara in Pakistan via the corridor, and on Sunday, the first day the corridor was open to regular pilgrims, 229 used it. Around 600 pilgrims are to cross over on Tuesday, the 550 birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, according to sources.

In contrast, crowds for a “Binocular Darshan” of the holy shrine from the Indian side have increased in the last two days to over 5,000 daily from the earlier approximately 250 daily.

The 4.5-km corridor was expected to attract at least 5,000 pilgrims every day — the limit decided between India and Pakistan — after its November 9 inauguration. The  Jatha on the first day had 562 people — a mix of dignitaries and NRIs invited by the Punjab and central governments. “Our understanding is that a digital record of anyone visiting Pakistan is a major deterrent among youth who wish to travel to the US or other countries. Then there is the question of the $20 service fee, strained Indo-Pak relations, and the lack of awareness about online registration,” said sources.

“Actually, we don’t know how to apply online,” said Mukhtiar Singh of Modhay village. He said that they were carrying documents, “but I became a laughing stock when I asked an ICP official to allow me to take the corridor to the Gurdwara.”