'Odd-even' won't apply in Delhi on 11, 12 Nov for Guru Nanak birth anniversary
Speaking to the media, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said the decision came after people from the Sikh community requested the government to relax the rulesThe national capital is witnessing the odd-even vehicle scheme from 4 Nov and it will continue till 15 Nov to keep air pollution in check
New Delhi: A day before the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor, the Delhi government on Friday offered free visit for devotees to the shrine in Pakistan under the chief minister’s pilgrimage scheme. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also said the ongoing odd-even vehicle rationing scheme will not be implemented in the national capital on 11-12 November on account of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
“Kartarpur Sahib has also been extended to the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana. Those who travel to Amritsar – Wagah will also get a free visit to Kartarpur. Any fees that will need to be paid will be borne by the Delhi government. The cabinet has taken an in-principle approval for this. Once the details of Kartarpur are finalized, we will finalise details and open bookings for this," Kejriwal told reporters in Delhi.
On Saturday, the Kartarpur Corridor will be opened for Indian pilgrims where they can cross over by foot to the shrine in Pakistan which is revered as it is the final resting place of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. The corridor will connect the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Punjab with Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur, just 4 kilometres from the International Border, located in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab province.
The year 2019 marks the 550th birth anniversary year of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev which will be celebrated on 12 November. Amid alarming levels of air pollution, the Aam Aadmi Party led Delhi government had implemented the car rationing scheme – Odd Even -- from 4-15 November. Keeping the celebrations in mind, the government will not implement the scheme for two days.
“The 550th birth anniversary is being celebrated with great enthusiasm on 11 and 12 November. In the recent days, lots of Sikh groups had come to ask for this (relief from the traffic curbs). Delhi government has decided that odd-even will not be applicable for two days so people do not have any inconvenience in travelling," Kejriwal said.
The national capital is witnessing the odd-even scheme from 4 November and it will continue till 15 November 15 to keep air pollution in check.
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