What Are The Most Dangerous Roads In India?

by Mohammed Burman | 06/04/2019
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Some roads can take you to hell faster than to your intended destination. Click for the detailed list of 5 the most dangerous roads in India.

As you may all know, Indian roads are not easy for the users because of the crazy traffic and underdeveloped infrastructure, but do you know that some Indian highways can even send your heart straight to your throat and feel like it may jump out of your body at any moment, or as some may say, these roads can take you to heaven faster than to the destination. The scenery of these roads is breathtaking but is it worth the risk? If you are a faint-hearted folk, then you may, well, faint while on these roads (that is if you can get out in one piece), but if you are a big daredevil who is looking for some thrills and excitement, then you should try driving on one of these highways, or all of them, because they ensure an experience that no haunted house or roller coaster can match.

Zoji La Pass

Zoji La Pass is a high mountain pass in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, located on National Highway 1 between Srinagar and Leh in the western section of the Himalayan mountain range. Running at an elevation of approximately 11,575 feet (3,528 metres) above the sea level, Zoji La Pass is the second highest pass in India after Fotu La Pass on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway. The pass is only 9 kilometres long, but it is safe to say that it is 9 kilometres of traveller’s safety on the line. One small mistake and you can have a one-way ticket to descend from a height of approximately 11,000 feet (3,353 metres). The views that you can get while travelling on this road is stunning, especially in the winter when snow partly covers the mountain. However, do not be fooled by its appearance; muddy roads, heavy snowstorms, regular landslides, and strong winds, which are the must-exist in winter, make the road even more intimidating. Sometimes, due to extremely heavy snowfall, the road is closed to traffic for six months.

Zoji La Pass

One small mistake can earn you a one-way ticket to descend from a height of 11,000 feet (3,353 metres).

Rohtang Pass

Also located on the Himalayas like the Zoji La Pass but in a different position, on the eastern Pir Panjal range of Himalayas, the Rohtang Pass resides at the height of 3,979 metres above the sea level. The name "Rohtang" refers to "ground of corpses" as it is so infamous for the enormous number of people who lost their lives when driving through this route. Just 53 kilometres from Manali, this road is open to vehicles from May to November. During this period, it usually suffers from serious traffic congestion due to the heavy snow and dense fog most of the year, which causes many problems to the driver. So make sure that you are an experienced driver when driving across this deadly road. 

rohtang pass wiith vehicles one

Leh-Manali Highway

Leh-Manali Highway is a 300 mile (483 kilometre) long highway that connects Leh in Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir state and Manali in Himachal Pradesh state. Being open for only around 4.5 months each year between May or June, when the snow has been cleared, and in the middle of October when the high passes are again blocked by the snowfall, the Leh-Manali Highway is over 13,000 feet (4,000 metres) above the sea level. Its highest point is 17,480 feet (5,328 metres) at Tanglang La mountain pass. It can be said that Leh-Manali Highway is no less than a nightmare. Loose gravel mountain road on which is uncontrolled heavy traffic travelling under unpredictable weather is an ideal recipe for catastrophe. When the weather gets warmer, and the snow starts to thaw, watch out for those frost heaves and landslides because they can leave your car with irreparable damage in better-case scenarios. After reaching your destination, do not forget to thank God for blessing you with the sheer luck to cross Leh-Manali Highway alive.

Leh-Manali highway

Poor infrastructure, traffic jam, and terrible weather make an ideal recipe for catastrophe.

National Highway 22

National Highway 22, which spans over 285 miles (459 kilometres), runs from Sonbarsa in Bihar to Chandwa in Jharkhand, is the very definition of “highway to hell”. Widely known as the most dangerous highway in India, National Highway 22 made an appearance in History Channel's "IRT Deadliest Roads" TV series. If you have a chance to drive on this road, you will have an unparalleled feeling of cutting through a mountain and camouflaging between rocks. Well, that is a beautiful and poetic way to put it. If you want a more straightforward version, you will have such a feeling of appreciation for your life up until that point because travelling on National Highway 22 is playing with hell and death looming all over you in the form of cliffs and tunnels. However, because of the mountainous area and the sheer exposure of the highway to nature, the scenery here is spectacular. But to risk life for a moment of sightseeing? We do not know about you, but we think we have to think twice.

National Highway 22

Being the is the most dangerous highway in India, National Highway 22 once appeared in History Channel's "IRT Deadliest Roads" TV series.

Kinnaur Road

Finally, the Kinnaur Road, which is situated in the western part of Himachal Pradesh and is carved out of rocks, is well-known for its sharp and blind cornering. The road is so narrow that vehicles are not able to cross together at some portions and reports of accidents occurring on this road are very common. To drive across this road, you have to be confident in your driving skills as well as your vehicle. However dangerous the road is, you can enjoy the stunning scenery there and also the cool atmosphere under the cliffs. 

kinnaur road

The Kinnaur Road is not only famous for its dangers but also the breathtaking scenery.

Above is the list of the five most dangerous roads in India. Please ensure that you have substantial experience before making a decision to have a drive on any of these above roads. Which one of the roads above impresses you the most? Please share with us in the comment section below. 

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