World's Highest Motorable Road Built by Border Road Organization (BRO) India

World's Highest Motorable Road Built by Border Road Organization (BRO) India

Image courtesy : bcmtouring.com

Border Road Organization constructed a motorable road at Khardung La at an altitude of 17,900 feet supposed to be World's Highest Motorable road . 

But now BRO has beaten its own record by building a motorable road that passes through Umling La top in Ladakh Jammu & Kashmir at a height of over 19,300 feet and connects Chisumle and Demchok villages located 230 km from Leh.

So now Umling La road becomes the highest motorable road in the world another feather in the cap of BRO. An unrivalled feat.

The feat was achieved under "Project Himank" of BRO. Being close to Hanle, the 86 km long strategic road is very close to the India-China border in eastern sector. Constructing the road at the altitude of 19,300 feet was filled with life threatening challenges. Climate ate location has always been adverse for construction activities.

During peak summers temperature revolves around minus 10-20 degrees Celsius and in winters, dips to minus 40 degrees. Oxygen level at this altitude is 50% less than at normal places. Efficiency of manpower and machines declines by 50% due to less oxygen level and harsh climate. Machine operators have to come down every 10 minutes for oxygen.

Taking equipment at such a height, repairing and maintaining it, is a major task since equipment faces a lot of breakdowns. Manpower face serious health problems such as loss of memory, eyesight and high blood pressure.

Kudos to "Project Himank" of BRO who are building wonders in the most inhospitable terrain and on such a high altitude .