Most Important Mountain Passes in India UPSC Revision Series Part 11

Northern India:-

Banihal Pass (Jawahar Tunnel): =
Banihal pass is a popular pass in Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in Pir- Panjal Range.


Zoji La:= Srinagar- Kargil & Leh
It connects Srinagar with Kargil and Leh. Beacon Force of Border Road Organization is responsible for clearing and maintaining the road, especially during winter.

Burzail pass:= Srinagar- Kishan Ganga Valley
This pass joins the Valley of Kashmir with the Deosai Plains of Ladakh.


Pir-Panjal Pass:-
It is a traditional pass from Jammu to Srinagar. This pass was closed after the partition. It provides shortest roadway access to Kashmir valley from Jammu.


Khardung La:= Leh- Siachin Glacier(Ladakh Range):-
It is the highest motorable pass in the country. It connects Leh and Siachen glacier. This pass remains closed during the winter.

Thang La:-It is located in Ladakh. It is the second highest motorable mountain pass in India.


Bara-La: Himachal Pradesh- Leh-Ladakh
It is situated on the National Highway in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It connects Manali and Leh.


Lipu Lekh: Uttarakhand-Tibet:-
It is located in Uttarakhand. It connects Uttarakhand with Tibet. This pass is an important border post for the trade with china. The pilgrims for Manasarovar travels through this pass.


Niti Pass:-
This pass joins Uttarakhand with Tibet. This also remains snow covered during the winter season.


Rohtang Pass: Kullu-Lahul-Spiti
This located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It has excellent road transportation. This pass connects Kullu, Spiti, and Lahul.

Shipki La Pass: Himachal Pradesh –Tibet
It is located through Sutlej Gorge. It connects Himachal Pradesh with Tibet. It is India’s third border post for trade with China after Lipu Lekh and Nathula Pass.

North East India Passes:-

Nathu La Pass:-
It is located in the state of Sikkim. This famous pass is located in the India- China border was reopened in 2006. It forms a part of an offshoot of the ancient silk route. It is one of the trading border posts between India and China.

Jelep La Pass: Sikkim-Lhasa
This pass passes through the Chumbi valley. It connects Sikkim with Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.

Bomdi-La: Arunachal Pradesh-Lhasa
The Bomdi-La pass connects Arunachal Pradesh with Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. It is located in the east of Bhutan.

Diphu pass: Arunachal Pradesh- Mandalay
The Diphu pass also provides easy and an alternate route to Myanmar. This pass remains open throughout the year for the transportation and trade.

South India Passes:-

Thal Ghat:- Connects Mumbai to Nasik aka KASARA GHAT (in Maharashtra)

Bhor Ghat :- Near Khandala Maharashtra connects Mumbai to Pune.

Pal Ghat(Palakkad Gap) :- Connects Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu to Palakkad in Kerala :- Between Nilgiri and Annamalai.

Shencotta Gap: Madurai-Kottayam
It is located in the Western Ghats. It joins the Madurai city in Tamil Nadu with Kottayam district in Kerala.