Passes of the Western

Jammu and Kashmir

SIGNIFICANCE NAME NOTES (CONNECTS)

• Trijunction of - and Kashmir and China border

• East of Mintaka pass on the Indo-China border Parpik Pass Kashmir and China

• Indo-China border Khunjerab Kashmir and China Pass

Ladakh region of India • 5000 m above sea level. with the Xinjiang • north of K2 Peak (the highest peak in India and Aghil Pass (Sinkiang) Province of the second highest peak in the world) China

• 2832 m • across the Pir-Panjal Range and Srinigar • remains snow covered during winter season

Banihal Pass • The road from Jammu to transversed until 1956 when was constructed under the pass. The road now passes through the tunnel and the Banihal Pass is no longer used for road transport. • Another 11 km long tunnel provides railway link between Banihal and Kazigund. It was thrown open to railway transport in July, 2013

• altitude of 5360 m • This has a temple dedicated to Chang-La Baba with Chang-La after whom the temple has been named

• 5602 m

The world’s highest motorable road passes near in the Ladakh through this pass range

• remains closed in winter due to heavy snowfall

• this pass provides passage between Ladak and India and China Lhasa. A road to connect Xinjiang Province (Akasai-Chin area of Lanak La with Tibet has been constructed by the Chinese Jammu and Kashmir)

provides the shortest and the easiest metal Pir-Panjal across the Pir Panjal road between Jammu and . But pass range this route had to be closed down as a result of partition of the subcontinent

Indo-China borer • located at an elevation of over six thousand Qara Tag La across the metres Range

Ladakh region of India Imis La and Tibet in China

vital link between the • remains closed to traffic from November to Kashmir Valley and mid-May due to heavy snowfall Kargil • The road passing through this pass has been designated at the National Highway (NH-1D) important road link • Border Road Organisation (BRO) is between Srinagar on responsible for maintaining the road and one side and Kargil and cleaning it off snow during winter. In spite of Leh on the other side all these efforts, the road through this pass remains closed from December to mid-May

Himachal Pradesh

• Elevation: 4,890 m • National highway connecting Mandi in with Leh in Jammu and Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir passes through this pass. Being Bara Lacha La Jammu and Kashmir situated at high altitude, it remains snow covered in winter and is not used as a transport route.

• elevation of 5270 m above sea level • It offers a much easier and shorter alternative link between and route to traditional Pin-Parbati Pass route Spiti districts between Kullu and Spiti

• Elevation: 3979 m • Border Road Organisation (BRO) is responsible for constructing and maintaining roads in this road link between area. is a great tourist Kullu, Lahul and Spiti Rohtang Pass attraction and traffic jams are very Valleys common because this route is widely used by military, public and private vehicles. • Elevation: 6000 m Himachal Pradesh and • Remains closed in winter season (Nov – Apr) Tibet

Uttarakhand

trijunction of (India), This pass is used by pilgrims to Kailash- Lipu Lekh Tibet (China) and Mansarowar. borders

• elevation of 5610 • Situated a little north of the holy place of Uttarakhand with Tibet Badhrinath • Remains closed in winter season (Nov – Apr)

It is used by pilgrims going to Kailash- Mangsha Uttarakhand with Tibet Dhura Mansarowar

• Remains closed in winter season (Nov – Apr) Niti Pass Uttarakhand with Tibet

• situated in the north of Gangotri • at an elevation of 5669 m in the Great Uttarakhand and Tibet Muling La Himalayas