Consider the following statements regarding Khardung La Pass.
1. It is the highest motorable pass in India.
2. It is the gateway to the Nubra and Shyok Valleys.
3. It is situated to the North of Mount Godwin-Austen.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is: (d) Only 1 and 2
Explanation:
· Statement 1 is correct :
· Khardung La was once considered the highest motorable pass in India at an altitude of 5,359 m (17,582 ft).
· However, roads like Umling La (5,883 m) in Ladakh now hold the top rank. Still, Khardung La remains among the highest motorable passes.
· Statement 2 is correct:
· Khardung La serves as the gateway to Nubra and Shyok Valleys, which lie in the northern part of Ladakh.
· Statement 3 is incorrect:
· Mount Godwin-Austen (K2) lies in the Karakoram Range, much farther north of Khardung La, and is located in Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan.
· So, Khardung La is not situated to the north of K2.
Information Booster:
· Khardung La is strategically important for the Indian Army to access Siachen Glacier.
· It lies around 39 km from Leh in Ladakh.
· Maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
· The pass remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall.
· The region attracts many adventure tourists and bikers.
Additional Knowledge:
· Umling La Pass (Ladakh) is currently the highest motorable road in the world.
· Shyok and Nubra Rivers are tributaries of the Indus and flow through these valleys.
· K2 (Mount Godwin-Austen) is the second-highest mountain in the world (8,611 m).
· The road through Khardung La was opened to the public in 1988.