Read the below statements Statement I: The 'Zoji La pass' serves as a very important link between the Kashmir Valley and the Lada…

Question

Read the below statements:

Statement I: The 'Zoji La pass' serves as a very important link between the Kashmir Valley and the Ladakh region, cutting through the Great Himalayan Range.

Statement II: The ‘Shipki La pass’ is located in Arunachal Pradesh and serves as a primary gateway for the river Brahmaputra to enter India from Tibet.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. A. Only Statement II is correct
2. B. Neither Statement I nor II is correct
3. C. Only Statement I is correct (Correct answer)
4. D. Both Statement I and II are correct

Correct Answer

Option C — Only Statement I is correct

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Only Statement I is correct.

Key Points

• Statement I is correct. Zoji La connects the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh, cutting through the Great Himalayan range on the Srinagar-Leh road, and is the region's critical winter lifeline.
• Statement II is incorrect as described. Shipki La lies in Himachal Pradesh, on the border with Tibet, and is the pass through which the Satluj enters India — not what the statement claims.
• With one true and one false, the answer is "Only Statement I".

Additional Information

• The Zoji La tunnel, under construction, will give year-round connectivity to Ladakh, which the pass itself cannot provide once snow closes it.
• Passes by state worth memorising: Jammu & Kashmir/Ladakh — Zoji La, Banihal, Khardung La, Chang La; Himachal Pradesh — Shipki La, Rohtang, Baralacha La; Uttarakhand — Lipulekh, Mana, Niti; Sikkim — Nathu La, Jelep La; Arunachal Pradesh — Bomdi La, Diphu, Se La.
• Nathu La in Sikkim is a designated border trade route with China and part of the historic Silk Route.
• The Atal Tunnel beneath Rohtang gives Lahaul-Spiti all-weather access, a direct parallel to what the Zoji La tunnel will do for Ladakh.