Description

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Context:

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways announced the completion of a 4-lane, 2.35 km Banihal Bypass on NH-44.

About Banihal Pass

It is the 35 km four-lane Banihal Bypass in Jammu and Kashmir, a stretch that is riddled with chronic traffic jams. It was built at a cost of Rs 224.44 crore.
Strategically located on the Ramban–Banihal section of NH-44, the bypass comprises 4 viaducts of 1,513 meters length and 3 culverts, effectively addressing the ongoing bottleneck caused by roadside markets and shops.
This critical infrastructure ensures unrestricted traffic flow, significantly reducing travel time and traffic congestion for tourists as well as defense vehicles en route to the Kashmir Valley.

Key facts about NH-44

Ranking	22nd longest national highway in the world.
Length	3,745 kilometers.
Connection Points	Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) to Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu).
States Covered	Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.
Key Cities on Route	Agra, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore.
Construction	Formed by merging seven previously existing national highways.

Major Passes in India

Pass Name	Location (State/UT)	Mountain Range	Significance
Zoji La	Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir	Himalayas	Connects Srinagar to Leh; vital for transportation and military purposes.
Baralacha La	Himachal Pradesh	Zanskar Range	Connects Lahaul to Ladakh; part of the Leh-Manali Highway.
Khardung La	Ladakh	Ladakh Range	Known as one of the highest motorable passes in the world; gateway to the Nubra Valley.
Nathu La	Sikkim	Eastern Himalayas	Connects India to Tibet; a major trade route and site of the India-China border.
Jalori Pass	Himachal Pradesh	Outer Himalayas	Popular trekking route; connects Kullu and Shimla districts.
Rohtang Pass	Himachal Pradesh	Pir Panjal Range	Gateway to the Lahaul-Spiti Valley; known for its scenic beauty.
Lipulekh Pass	Uttarakhand	Kumaon Himalayas	Connects India to Tibet; part of the ancient Kailash Mansarovar route.
Bomdi La	Arunachal Pradesh	Eastern Himalayas	Connects Arunachal Pradesh to the Tawang region; strategic military importance.
Thang La (Tanglang La)	Ladakh	Zanskar Range	One of the highest motorable passes; located on the Leh-Manali Highway.
Mana Pass	Uttarakhand	Greater Himalayas	Near the Indo-China border; connects Uttarakhand to Tibet.
Pensi La	Ladakh	Zanskar Range	Connects the Suru Valley with the Zanskar Valley.
Sela Pass	Arunachal Pradesh	Eastern Himalayas	Connects Tawang with the rest of Arunachal Pradesh; known for its breathtaking views.
Shipki La	Himachal Pradesh	Sutlej River Valley	Connects Himachal Pradesh to Tibet; an ancient trade route.
Banihal Pass	Jammu & Kashmir	Pir Panjal Range	Connects Jammu with Srinagar; a vital route historically.
Chang La	Ladakh	Ladakh Range	Provides access to Pangong Lake; considered one of the highest motorable passes.