What is Passes?
The break between the continuous mountains is termed Passes. Usually, passes across the mountains are staying as a navigable route for crossing the mountain easily. Passes in the mountains are playing an important role in human and animal migration, trade, war and many more. Usually, the passes in mountains are formed near the source of a river. So, many researchers found that the passes are formed by the glaciers and streamflow for the long term.
This article gives information about major passes in India.
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The above image shows the location of Different Passes In India.
Important Mountain Passes In India
Some of the major passes in India are Mana Pass, Zoji La pass, Banihal Pass, Rohtang Pass, Nathu La pass, Shipki La pass, Niti Pass, Bara-Lacha Pass, and Jalap la pass. The location and history behind the passes are explained below.
Zoji La Pass
The Zoji La pass was located in the Zaskar range near Jammu and Kashmir. This plays an important role in connecting Srinagar and Leh regions. The Zoji La Pass was created by the Indus river.
Banihal Pass
The Banihal Pass is situated at an elevation of about 2,832 m across the Pir Panjal mountain range. This plays an important role in connecting Kashmir Valley in the union territory of Jammu and the south plains of Kashmir. Banihal in Kashmiri means blizzard. After 1956, the Jawahar Tunnel was constructed under the task to simplify the travel and the Banihal pass remains unused. In July 2013, another Railway transport was constructed to connect Banihal and Qazigund.
Shipki La Pass
Shipki La Pass is located near the origin of the river Sutlej. This was playing an important role to connect Himachal Pradesh and Tibet. This mountain pass is located at an elevation of about 6000 m.
BaraLacha Pass
BaraLacha Pass is one of the highest mountain passes located in the Zanskar range of the Himalayas. This is located at an elevation of about 4890m. The national highways for connecting Mandi and Leh were established across this pass. The transportation through this pass is closed in winter due to heavy snowfall. This pass is connecting Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh and Leh district in Ladakh.
Rohtang Pass
The Rohtang pass is one of the highest mountain passes located at the eastern end of the Pir Panjal Mountain Range. This is located 51 km away from Manali. This pass plays an important role in connecting the Kullu valley and Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh. Rohtang pass attracts more tourism, so traffic in this pass is very common. The Border Road Organisation took charge of constructing and maintaining roads in this area. This pass is located at an elevation of about 3979 m.
Mana Pass
The Mana pass is the highest vehicle-accessible pass in the world. The roadways were constructed by Border Roads Organisation for the Indian military from 2005 to 2010. This pass plays an important role in connecting India and China, it is the last point of India. The Mana pass was situated at an elevation of about 5610. Badrinath, a holy place in the north, is situated in this pass.
Niti Pass
Niti pass plays an important role in connecting Uttarakhand and Tibet. The length of this pass is about 5800 meters. This pass also remains closed from the month of November to April.
Nathu La
Nathu La is located in the great Himalayas near the East Sikkim district. Nathu in Tibetan means, "listening ears”. Nathula Pass Connects eastern Sikkim and Tibetan Region. This was situated at an elevation of about 4310m. Also, Nathu La is considered an offshoot of the ancient Silk Route. After 1962, the Nathu La was closed due to the aggression of China on India. Later, two countries sat together and decided to open this route in 2006 for enhancing trade between two countries.
Jalep La
The Jalep La is situated at an elevation of 4,267 m or 13,999 ft. It is also the pass connecting the Eastern district of Sikkim to the Tibet Autonomous Region. This provides connectivity from Lhasa to India.
List of All Passes in India
Mountain Passes In Jammu And Kashmir are Mintaka Pass, Parpik Pass, Khunjerab Pass, Aghil Pass, Banihal Pass, Chang-La and Khardung La. Lanak La, Pir-Panjal pass, Qara Tag La, Imis La, Pensi La and Zoji La are also the passes in Jammu and Kashmir.
The important mountain passes in Arunachal Pradesh are Dihang Pass, Bom Di La, Yong Yap Pass, Dipher Pass, Kumjawng Pass, Hpungan Pass and Chankan Pass.
The below table shows all passes in India with their connectivity and their elevation.
This article explains all passes in India with their locations. The elevation and economic importance of the passes are also given in detail.
FAQs on Important Passes in India
Question 1: Which is the highest pass in India?
Answer: The Himalayan range stands as a northern frontier for India. It serves as a border for India and protects it from other countries. In that, Kalindi Pass in Uttarakhand is the highest pass in India, which acts as a motorable road in the world. The Kalindi Pass is located at an altitude of about 19,521 feet.
Question 2: Which pass connects India and China?
Answer: India and China are separated by the Himalayan Mountain. They are connected through some passes in the Himalayas. Tibetan Jelep La and Chinese Zhiliepu Shankou are located between Sikkim and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Jelep Pass is located at the altitude of 14,390 feet in the Dongkya Range of the eastern Himalayas.
Question 3: What is called pass?
Answer: The gap or break across the huge mountain ranges are termed as Pass. This pass often provides an easy route for people to travel across the mountain. Usually, passes are formed, when a glacier or stream erodes or wears the land between mountains.
