Corridor to usher in era of development at Dera Baba Nanak

Ravi Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service
Dera Baba Nanak (Gurdaspur), September 28

Dera Baba Nanak, seeped in rich tapestry of Sikh history, is on the verge of seeing a massive economic boom as more than 10,000 people are expected to hit the city streets every day once the Kartarpur corridor gets operational on November 9.

Ravaged by partition, the wars of 1965 and 1971, drugs and terrorism in the past seven decades, the town will be seeing a turnaround in its economic fortunes with the passage to Pakistan acting as a catalyst.

Experts opine that while 5,000 pilgrims will be allowed to pass through the corridor every day, more than double that number will wander the streets and markets.

“We are working on a ratio of 1:3. One devotee who crosses over to Kartarpur shrine will be accompanied by three people who will stay back in the town. It is this segment which will bolster the area’s economic growth. Obviously, these very people will spend money in the process, sparking off massive sales in the 200 odd shops of the town,” said Amarjit Singh Grewal who is also supervising the cultural activities scheduled to be held in the run up to the corridor’s opening.

The prices of agriculture land have already increased. These are now pegged at three times the rates that prevailed before the corridor was announced in November last year. This, despite the fact that intelligence agencies have prohibited any type of construction activity, including setting up of hotels and inns, in the vicinity of the corridor.

Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who is supervising the construction of the passage on behalf of the Punjab Government, maintained that he had already been approached by hoteliers from as far as Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune. “A lot of businessmen have evinced interest. However, we have to ensure that the growth is regulated. The Dera Baba Nanak Development Authority (DBNDA) is the regulatory body and all projects will have to be approved by it,” said Randhawa.

Grewal said a Bebe Nanki Arts and Crafts Design Centre was being established in the heart of the town. “The centre will produce phulkaris, carpets, woodwork and products synonymous with Sikh culture. These items will be sold at the heritage street named after Rai Bular Bhatti who was a devout Muslim but got inspired by the teachings of Guru Nanak. Bhatti, after becoming a disciple of the Guru, donated half of his 18,500 acres. Hence, the street is being named after him. With thousands of people buying products daily, it will jolt the economy out of its slumber,” he said.

“If the Kartarpur gurdwara is the sanctum sanctorum, Dera Baba Nanak will be the darshani deodi and it is this place which will be the epicenter of all activity — financial and religious,” Randhawa added.

Bebe Nanki Arts, Craft centre to come up

Amarjit Singh Grewal, who is also supervising cultural activities, said a Bebe Nanki Arts and Crafts Design Centre was being established in the town. “The centre will produce phulkaris, carpets, woodwork and products synonymous with Sikh culture. These items will be sold at the heritage street named after Rai Bular Bhatti who was a devout Muslim but got inspired by the teachings of Guru Nanak. Bhatti, after becoming a disciple of the Guru, donated half of his 18,500 acres. Hence, the street is being named after him.