Way to go: BRO lays world's highest motorable road in Eastern Ladakh

By constructing and black-topping the road at 19,300 feet in eastern Ladakh's Umlingla Pass, the Border Roads Organisation has bettered Bolivia's record of the world's highest motorable road (18,953 feet).

The Border Roads Organisation has constructed and black-topped the highest motorable road in the world at 19,300 ft in eastern Ladakh's Umlingla Pass. 

The road upgrade will enhance the socio-economic condition and promote tourism in the region and also allow fast movement of men and machines. 

The Border Roads Organisation has bettered Bolivia's record of the world's highest motorable road at 18,953 feet.

The road is constructed much above the altitude of Siachen Glacier, which is at 17,700 feet, and the Khardung La Pass (17,582 feet) in Leh.

With the 52-km-long tarmac road through Umlingla Pass, the BRO road now connects important towns in the Chumar sector of eastern Ladakh. 

Built under 'Project Himank', the strategic road which passes through the Umling La Top and connects Chisumle and Demchok villages, is close to the Line of Actual Control.

"The road will be a boon for the local population. It provides an alternate direct route connecting Chisumle and Demchok from Leh," the defence ministry said.

"It is extremely difficult to go ahead with infrastructure development in such harsh and tough terrain. During winter, the temperature dips to minus 40 degrees and the oxygen level at this altitude is almost 50 per cent less than normal. The BRO has achieved the feat due to the grit and resilience of its personnel. They have worked in treacherous terrain and extreme weather conditions," it said.