National Highway 1, Mountain highway in Jammu and Kashmir, India
National Highway 1 is a mountain road linking Kashmir Valley with Jammu through steep mountain flanks and narrow passages in the Himalayas. The route follows river valleys and ridges through several elevation zones with changing landscape forms.
Merchants used this mountain passage for centuries to transport goods toward Central Asia, long before modern road construction began. The present connection developed gradually during the 1940s and 1950s with the widening of old caravan paths.
The road remains the main supply line linking both regions, where truck drivers use the same rest stops as travelers have for decades. At these stations, vendors provide tea and warm meals to anyone who needs a break.
Anyone planning this route during winter months should check whether individual sections remain open and keep emergency tools ready. During heavy snowfall, the connection can close for several days until clearing vehicles get through.
The Jawahar Tunnel bores through the Pir Panjal ridge at more than 2100 meters (about 7000 feet) and enables year-round connection between both parts of the territory. Without this passage, drivers would need long detours through even higher passes that become impassable in winter.
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