Diplomatic tensions remain high between Delhi and Islamabad over the future of Kashmir, but there are efforts being made to ensure India's Sikh community have access to one of the religion's holiest shrines in Pakistan. It involves a massive infrastructure project -- the opening of a special corridor -- and plenty of goodwill on both sides of the border to have the route opened in time for a major festival in November.

Kartarpur Darbar Sahib is located about four and a half kilometres from the International border between Pakistan and India. It is one of the holiest places for Sikhs, where Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism settled and preached for the last 18 years of his life and it is also his last resting place. Following prime minister Imran Khan's announcement of opening the corridor, there has been a wave of jubilance and euphoria sweeping through the Sikh community, across the world.

INDERJEET SINGH MEMBER, PAKISTAN SIKH GURDWARAS PARBHANDA COMMITTEE "This is a very important time for every Sikh in the world. We always pray to God that all our places of worship be opened for us, we are extremely happy. for us, this place is as important as Makkah is for the Muslims."

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated after New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status. Following India's move, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian High Commissioner. But Pakistan's foreign office has said, opening the corridor will not be hit by the ongoing strains in ties between the two countries.

DANIAL KHAN KARTARPUR "Despite rising tensions with India, the foreign office of Pakistan says 90 per cent of the Corridor has been completed. The corridor is scheduled to be opened in November on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak and therefore the construction crews are working in 3 shifts of 8 hours, 24 hours a day."

The government of Pakistan has acquired over 400 acres of land for the establishment of the Complex. The master plan has been developed keeping in view the present and future requirements.

ATIF MAJEED PROJECT DIRECTOR, KARTARPUR CORRIDOR "This is a unique project because it was evolved and executed simultaneously, because it was a project of ten months. So we had these 10 months, constraint timings, and it was a huge project, but we took off with a big heart, our main challenge was the bridge on the river Ravi, two terminals, 2 gurdwaras, one was expanded from 4 acres to 408 acres, and also the immigration terminal where the immigrations were to be checked."

Pakistan has agreed to allow 5,000 Sikh pilgrims from India to visit on a daily basis.

SARDAR GOBIND SINGH MEMBER, PAKISTAN SIKH GURDWARAS PARBHANDA COMMITTEE "Sikhs around the world are indebted to Prime minister Imran Khan and the army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa that they fulfilled their promise to the Sikh community. The government has worked day and night to meet the deadline of completing the project. We are very happy."

The project spread over 823 acres of land includes construction of 68 kilometres long access road, 800-meter bridge over river Ravi and additional facilities to cater to increased number of pilgrims in the future, including special counters, buses, electric carts, food stalls and dormitories. Dedicated security arrangements have been made to ensure safe, secure and hassle-free visit of pilgrims to the complex. Danial Khan, CGTN, Kartarpur.