India, a land of staggering diversity and breathtaking landscapes, also harbors some of the world’s most perilous roads. These are not just rough patches on a map — they are winding nightmares that test the courage of drivers and the durability of machines. Yet, every day, these roads echo with the sound of honking trucks, laboring buses, and local commuters on two-wheelers. Why do people still use them? The answer lies in a compelling blend of necessity, resilience, and ambition.
The Roads Less Travelled — With Good Reason
Let’s begin with some of India’s most dangerous roads:
- Zoji La Pass, Jammu and Kashmir
Zoji La is a high mountain pass that connects Ladakh to the rest of India. Sitting at over 11,000 feet, it’s a narrow, slippery road that cuts across steep cliffs with no guardrails. It’s open only for a few months in the year and is often blocked by snowstorms or landslides.
Yet, Zoji La is the lifeline of Ladakh. As per a 2023 Hindustan Times report, nearly 70% of essential supplies to Leh arrive via this treacherous route. Drivers, often locals, brave death every day to keep their economy alive.
- Killer Curves of Killar-Kishtwar Road, Himachal Pradesh
Dubbed as “India’s most dangerous cliff-hanging road,” this narrow dirt track has seen dozens of fatal accidents. The road hangs on the edge of a vertical rock face with no fencing or margin for error.
In 2022, The Tribune featured the story of Manohar Singh, a 26-year-old local who saved 9 tourists from an overturned jeep. The Himachal Pradesh government awarded him the Jeevan Raksha Padak for his bravery.
- NH-22 (Old Hindustan-Tibet Road), Himachal Pradesh
Once known as one of the world’s deadliest roads by History Channel’s “Deadliest Roads”, NH-22 has blind corners, unstable rock faces, and steep vertical drops into the Sutlej River. Despite this, it’s used by thousands every year, mainly due to lack of alternatives and the route’s connectivity to interior villages.
Why Risk It? The Real Reasons People Still Use These Roads
- Lack of Infrastructure Alternatives
In remote regions like Ladakh, Spiti, and parts of the Northeast, these roads are the only connections to hospitals, schools, and markets. Villagers and even tourists have no choice but to take these routes, no matter the risk.
- Economic Necessity
Truckers and transporters continue to ply dangerous highways because that’s where their bread lies. The Manali-Leh highway, with its 21 high-altitude passes, may scare off casual travelers, but it remains a crucial route for freight, especially during the summer.
- Adventure Tourism
A new demographic has emerged — thrill-seekers who want to challenge India’s worst roads. Biking groups like the Delhi Bullet Riders Club organize tours on the Leh-Manali highway and Spiti circuit every year. In 2023, biker Preeti Rawat became the first woman to complete the “Snow Challenge” — a 2000-km solo ride over 9 mountain passes — earning her a feature in The Indian Express and recognition from the Ministry of Youth Affairs.
The Human Spirit Behind the Wheel
One of the most heart-touching stories is that of Tashi Namgyal, a school bus driver in Ladakh. Every day, Tashi drives 35 km through landslide-prone roads to ensure that 18 children from Nubra Valley get to school safely.
In 2021, The Hindu ran a story on Tashi’s daily routine. Despite losing his cousin in a road accident near Khardung La, he continues the job, believing “education must not stop because of fear.” He was later honored with the President’s Medal for Public Service in 2022.
Government Efforts and Engineering Challenges
The government isn’t blind to the risks. BRO (Border Roads Organisation) and NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) are actively working on widening and modernizing these dangerous stretches. In 2023, BRO completed the construction of the Atal Tunnel under Rohtang Pass, drastically reducing travel time and improving safety. Yet, in many regions, difficult terrain and environmental concerns make large-scale road improvements nearly impossible.
In a March 2024 interview with Times of India, BRO Chief Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhary admitted, “We are racing against nature. Landslides, snow, and floods undo months of work overnight.”
When Risk Becomes Routine
For locals, danger has become routine. As 70-year-old farmer Chand Babu from Uttarakhand told Dainik Jagran, “When you grow up walking these roads, fear leaves you. What stays is habit.”
Even schoolchildren cross shaky bamboo bridges in Arunachal Pradesh or wait for ropeways over raging rivers in Sikkim. A 2023 viral video on NDTV showed students using a zipline over the Subansiri River to attend school — and smiling through it.
A Nation on the Move
India’s dangerous roads are more than just travel nightmares — they are testaments to resilience. From courageous drivers and daring adventurers to schoolchildren and local heroes, these routes are lined with stories of survival, ambition, and pride.
Until better infrastructure replaces peril, millions will continue to drive through danger. But with every brave soul behind the wheel or on the path, India moves forward — sometimes cautiously, sometimes defiantly — but always forward.
