Transport and Connectivity
Roads
| Highway | Route |
|---|---|
| NH 44 (earlier NH 1A) | Srinagar to Kanyakumari, through Banihal, Jammu, Udhampur. Longest highway of India |
| NH 1 (earlier NH 1D) | Srinagar to Leh through Zojila, Dras, Kargil, Namika La, Fotu La |
| Mughal Road | Bufliaz (Poonch) to Shopian, about 84 km, through Pir Ki Gali (historic Mughal route) |
| Leh-Manali Highway | Through Baralacha La, Lachulung La, Taglang La (open in summer) |
| Jammu-Pathankot (NH 44) | Link to Punjab |
Tunnels
| Tunnel | Facts |
|---|---|
| Jawahar Tunnel (Banihal) | 2.85 km; opened 1956. |
| Navyug Tunnel (Banihal-Qazigund) | About 8.45 km; opened 2021. Twin tube |
| Z-Morh (Sonamarg) Tunnel | About 6.5 km; opened in January 2025; all-weather road to Sonamarg |
| Zojila Tunnel | Planned about 13 km, under construction (to be among Asia's longest road tunnels when done). |
Railways
- USBRL (Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link) is an engineering feat of about 272 km, completed in stages.
- Chenab Bridge (Reasi) is the world's highest railway arch bridge, about 359 m above the river; opened in June 2025.
- Anji Khad Bridge is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge.
- Vande Bharat trains run between Katra and Srinagar (since June 2025).
Air
- Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport (Srinagar), Jammu Airport, and Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (Leh) — among the highest commercial airports in the world (about 3,256 m).
- Kargil and other airfields serve limited flights.
Why transport matters
- Many valleys are cut off by snow in winter. Zojila closes in winter, so Ladakh is connected by air.
- Roads and tunnels are strategic (the BRO builds them).
Keep practising
Notes are only half the work. Test yourself with questions and discuss doubts with other aspirants.
Prepared for exam revision from standard sources, official publications and the Census. Figures and recent developments change, so check official sources before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.