Kartarpur Corridor sees 50% drop in Sikh pilgrims amid India-Pakistan tensions post Pahalgam attack

The Kartarpur Corridor, a symbolic peace bridge between India and Pakistan, has seen a sharp decline in Sikh pilgrim numbers following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Since the incident, footfall at the corridor dropped by nearly 50%, reflecting growing public anxiety amid rising border tensions.

The corridor, which connects Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab to Sri Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Narowal district, remains the only active land route between the two nations after India suspended operations at the Attari-Wagah trade post. Despite the unrest, the pilgrimage continues under strict protocols, with both countries committed to keeping the corridor open under a renewed bilateral agreement.

Daily pilgrim turnout has dropped steadily since April 24, with only 152 people using the corridor on April 30, compared to the usual 425. While 493 permissions were granted on multiple days, the actual number of pilgrims choosing to travel fell dramatically, with just a fraction of the approved pilgrims crossing over.

Religious leaders and authorities have urged the community not to lose faith. Baba Sukhdeep Singh Bedi, a descendant of Guru Nanak, called the dip “natural” in times of crisis but assured that the pilgrimage was proceeding peacefully. SGPC officials echoed the sentiment, saying there was no need for fear as security was intact on both sides.

Inaugurated in 2019, the Kartarpur Corridor has been hailed as a historic initiative for religious unity. Its continued operation, even amid diplomatic friction, serves as a testament to the shared cultural and spiritual ties between people across the border.