Razdan Pass, (sometimes Rajdhan Pass) is a high mountain pass in the

Himalayas The Himalayas, or Himalaya (; ; ), is a mountain range in Asia, separating the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has some of the planet's highest peaks, including the very highest, Mount Everest. Over 100 ...

. It is in the

Bandipora district Bandipore district (also spelt as Bandipora or Bandipur) is one of the 20 districts in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Bandipore town is the administrative headquarters of the district. Bandipore, a township with peculiar sceni ...

Jammu and Kashmir (union territory) Jammu and Kashmir is a region administered by India as a union territory and consists of the southern portion of the larger Kashmir region, which has been the subject of a dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947, and between India and ...

, India. Located on the way from

Bandipora Bandipore () or Bandipora is the headquarters of district of Bandipore in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located on the northern banks of Wullar Lake—the second-largest freshwater lake in Asia. Bandipora has a ter ...

Gurez Valley Gurez, or Gurais (''Guráai'' in the local Shina language), is a valley located in the high Himalayas, about from Bandipore and from Srinagar, to the north of the Kashmir valley. At about above sea level, the valley is surrounded by snow- ...

at the altitude of 11,667 ft above sea level, the pass connects the

Kashmir Valley The Kashmir Valley, also known as the ''Vale of Kashmir'', is an intermontane valley concentrated in the Kashmir Division of the Indian- union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The valley is bounded on the southwest by the Pir Panjal Range and ...

to its north. The pass remains closed for vehicular movement for over 3-4 months of Winter each year due to heavy snowfall. This is the only route which connects Gurez with the rest of world. The pass connects dozens of remote and far-flung areas, including those near the Line of Control with district headquarters Bandipora in North Kashmir. Once an integral part of the

Silk route The Silk Road () was a network of Eurasian trade routes active from the second century BCE until the mid-15th century. Spanning over 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles), it played a central role in facilitating economic, cultural, political, and reli ...

between Kashmir and

Central Asia Central Asia, also known as Middle Asia, is a subregion, region of Asia that stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to western China and Mongolia in the east, and from Afghanistan and Iran in the south to Russia in the north. It includes t ...

, the offbeat road to Razdan Pass remains a strategically important link connecting the Gurez with the Kashmiri mainland. Razdan Pass, which is the gateway to the mountainous Gurez valley, records around 10-15 feet snow during winter months and becomes the main reason for the closure of the road, thereby making the area inaccessible during the harsh conditions of winter months.The road offers breathtaking views of the area. Not many people know the pass and hardly any tourists go this way. The majestic Mount

Harmukh Mt Harmukh (originally "Haramukuta") is a mountain with a peak elevation of , in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir (union territory), Jammu and Kashmir in India. Harmukh is part of the Himalaya Mountain Range, Range and is located betwe ...

is also visible from here, which is the highest peak in the surrounding area.

Razdan Pass Tunnel

Border Road Organisation The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is a road construction executive force in India that provides support to and is now a part of the Indian Armed Forces. BRO develops and maintains road networks in India's border areas and friendly neighboring ...

(BRO) is planning to build Razdan Pass Tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The project involves the construction of an 18km tunnel between Gurez and

Bandipore Bandipore () or Bandipora is the headquarters of district of Bandipore in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located on the northern banks of Wullar Lake—the second-largest freshwater lake in Asia. Bandipora has a ter ...

. The project includes the construction of a road and related facilities, and the installation of ventilation system, fire protection system, safety management system and free-flow electronic tolling system. In 2009, a proposal for construction of tunnel across the Razdan pass on Bandipora-Gurez road was submitted by Project BEACON to Border Roads Organisation (BRO). In 2011, Geodata Engineering was appointed as the design engineering consultant to undertake feasibility studies, on-site investigation and advanced preliminary design on the project. Mount Geo Technical Services Pvt. Ltd. has been appointed as the consulting engineer. In 2015, feasibility studies, on-site investigation and advanced preliminary design on the project completed. In 2016, detail project report (DPR) was prepared and submitted to the Central Government for its approvals. The project was delayed for years due to financial issues. In April 2018, the project received preliminary approvals from the central government and currently, necessary formalities are under process to go ahead with the project development.

References

Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir {{Asia-mountain-stub