National Highway 3 (India)
National Highway in India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
National Highway 3, or NH 3, is a national highway in India.[1] It starts from Atari adjacent to the India-Pakistan border near Amritsar and terminates at Leh in Ladakh, via Manali in Himachal Pradesh.[2] The highway passes through Rohtang Pass, climbing a high altitude of 3,969 metres (13,022 ft). Now the 9,500 metres (31,200 ft) long Atal Tunnel helps in vehicles avoiding Rohtang Pass. Next this highway passes through Bara Lacha La or Bara Lacha Pass climbing a high altitude of 4,850 metres (15,910 ft) & again passes through Taglang La or Taglang Pass climbing a serious altitude of 5,328 metres (17,480 ft). This makes NH-3 the most dangerous road in the world. In winters, this highway faces severe situations. Border Roads Organization known as BRO maintains this highway 24X7 throughout the year. The Headquarters of BRO 38 Battalion is situated in Manali who are tasked with maintaining NH-3 in Manali-Leh stretch.
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 Map of the National Highway in red | ||||
 Rohtang Pass on NH 3 | ||||
| Route information | ||||
Part of  AH1 AH2 | ||||
| Maintained by NHAI | ||||
| Length | 990 km (620 mi) | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| West end | Attari, Punjab | |||
| East end | Leh, Ladakh | |||
| Location | ||||
| Country | India | |||
| States | Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh | |||
| Primary destinations | Attari, Amritsar, Kartarpur, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Gagret, Nadaun, Hamirpur, Sarkaghat, Kotli, Mandi, Kullu, Manali, Gramphoo, Kyelong, Leh | |||
| Highway system | ||||
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History
After renumbering of all national highways by National Highway Authority of India in 2010, parts of the former NH 1 and NH 70 have been combined with parts of former NH 21 to create the new NH 3.
Mountain passes
Part of national Highway 3 runs through the upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, crossing some high elevation mountain passes. First major pass comes after Manali, which is Rohtang pass at an elevation of 3,978 m. Rohtang pass provides connectivity between the Kullu valley and the Lahaul and Spiti valleys of Himachal Pradesh. Next major pass on NH3 is Baralacha La at an elevation of 4,890 m in Zanskar range. In Leh district, NH 3 crosses over Nakee La (4739 m, 15547 ft), Lachulung La (5064 m, 16616 ft) and Taglang La.[3]
Route
National Highway 3 route runs through three states.
- Punjab
Attari, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur - H.P. border (256 km).[4]
- Himachal Pradesh
Punjab border - Gagret, Amb, Nadaun, Hamirpur, Tauni Devi, Awah Devi, Sarkaghat, Kotli, Mandi, Kullu, Manali, Gramphoo, Kyelong - J & K border (534 km).[5][6]
- Ladakh
Construction and upgradation
Junctions list
- Terminal at Wagah India/Pakistan border.
NH 54 near Amritsar
NH 354 near Amritsar
NH 503A near Amritsar
NH 44 near Jalandhar
NH 703 near Jalandhar
NH 703A near Jalandhar
NH 344B near Hoshiarpur- NH 503A near Hoshiarpur
NH 503 near Mubarakpur
NH 303 near Nadaun
NH 103 near Hamirpur
NH 305 near Aut
NH 505 near Gramphoo
NH 1 Terminal point near Leh
Interactive map
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