Braving the potholes and turns on the road to Simbhanjyang Pass in Nepal's Mountains
Simbhanjyang Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.488m (8,162ft) above the sea level, located in the Bagmati Province of Nepal. The road is narrow and riddled with potholes. As a result, vehicles on the edge of the road lose control.
Is Simbhanjyang Pass paved?
The road to the summit is mostly paved, but in very bad conditions. It’s called H02-Tribhuvan Highway. Travelling by passenger vehicles along the Tribhuvan Highway is fraught with risks. Apart from traffic jams, the poor condition of the road has led to several accidents along the highway. At Daman, shortly before the pass, there is one of the best views of the Himalaya in all of Nepal.
How long is Simbhanjyang Pass?
The pass is 42.1 km (26.15 miles) running north-south from Naubise (a village in Dhading District) to Daman (in Makwanpur District). Set high on the southern part of the country, the pass is also known as Sim Bhanjyang pass. The road encompasses miles of stunning views through hundreds of sharp hairpin corners, high elevations and steep grades.
When was the road to Simbhanjyang Pass built?
This quaint, narrow mountainous route, which experiences minimal traffic, is Nepal's most ancient highway. It stretches from the peripheries of Kathmandu to Birgunj at the Nepal-India frontier. Constructed in honor of King Tribhuvan (1906-1955), it was completed in 1956 with the aid of India, establishing the inaugural viable road link with the neighboring country.
Pic: poudel