The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has recently made headlines by successfully constructing and completing the black topping of the world’s highest motorable road. The extraordinary feat was achieved at Umling La pass in Eastern Ladakh. The pass stands at an impressive altitude of 19,300 ft, setting a remarkable record in high-altitude road construction.
Key Features of the Umling La Pass Road
The Umling La pass holds more than just the title for the highest motorable road. It broke the previous record held by a road in Bolivia that led to the Uturuncu volcano, which stood at 18,953 ft. This strategic road, developed under the umbrella of ‘Project Himank’, passes through Umling La Top and links the villages of Chisumle and Demchok.
One of the primary advantages of this new road is the potential to improve the socio-economic conditions of Ladakh. By providing a reliable transportation route between isolated areas, the road could significantly boost commerce and tourism in the region. Moreover, due to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the road also serves a strategic role in facilitating the swift movement of troops and equipment.
A Comparison with Other High Altitudes
The Umling La pass road’s altitude surpasses several well-known high-altitude locations. Notably, this includes both the South and North Base Camps of Mt. Everest, situated at altitudes of 17,598 ft and 16,900 ft respectively. Additionally, the new road soars above the Siachen Glacier, which is located at an elevation of 17,700 ft. Even the Khardung La Pass in Leh, known for its own impressive altitude of 17,582 ft, falls short when compared to the newly completed Umling La pass road.
Project Himank: Building at New Heights
Project Himank is a Border Roads Organisation initiative focused on the construction and maintenance of roads and related infrastructure in the Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir. The project launched in 1985, and has been responsible for several significant achievements. Besides maintaining various existing passages, Project Himank has now added the world’s highest motorable road to its list of accomplishments.
This recent milestone demonstrates the success of Project Himank’s efforts in constructing and maintaining vital infrastructure at high altitudes. The Umling La pass road serves as a testament to the dedication and skill of those involved in the project. As well as optimizing connectivity within the region, the road’s strategic location could potentially boost socio-economic growth and security in Ladakh, shedding light on the critical importance of such initiatives. No doubt, this achievement will continue to inspire efforts to improve accessibility and infrastructure development in challenging terrains around the world.
Source: PIB.
