National Highway 3 (India)

National Highway 3
Map of the National Highway in red
Rohtang Pass on NH 3
Route information
Part of AH1 AH2
Maintained by NHAI
Length990 km (620 mi)
Major junctions
West endAttari, Punjab
Major intersections
List
East endLeh, Ladakh
Location
CountryIndia
StatesPunjab, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh
Primary
destinations
Attari, Amritsar, Kartarpur, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Gagret, Nadaun, Hamirpur, Sarkaghat, Kotli, Mandi, Kullu, Manali, Gramphoo, Kyelong, Leh
Highway system
NH 2 NH 4

National Highway 3, or NH 3, is a national highway in India. It starts from Atari adjacent to India-Pakistan border and near Amritsar and terminates at Leh in Ladakh, via Manali in Himachal Pradesh. 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.