BRO builds world's highest motorable road in Ladakh

Srinagar: In a significant feat, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed the world's tallest motorable road in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, passing through Umlingla Top at the height of over 19,300 feet.

The feat was achieved under 'Project Himank' of the organisation.

Being close to Hanle, the 86km long strategic road connects Chisumle and Demchok villages, located 230 Kms from Leh. These villages are stone's throw away from the Indo-China border in the eastern sector, a spokesman of BRO said.

Felicitating the BRO personnel for completing the herculean task, Chief Engineer, Project Himank, Brigadier D M Purvimath, said constructing the road at the altitude of over 19,300 feet was filled with life-threatening challenges.

He said the climate at the location is always adverse for construction activities.

"During peak summers, the temperature hovers around minus 10-20 degrees Celsius, and in winters, it dips to minus 40 degrees. Oxygen level at the altitude is 50 percent less than at normal places," Purvimath said.

"Efficiency of machines and workforce declines by 50 percent due to the harsh climate and less oxygen level. Also, machine operators have to come down every 10 minutes for oxygen," he said.

The brigadier said logistics was another major challenge at such an altitude.

"Taking equipment at such a height, repairing and maintaining it is a major task since equipment faces a lot of breakdowns," he said.

Purvimath said because of this gradation; the personnel faced severe health problems like loss of memory, eyesight and high blood pressure.

Such a construction does not come without a cost, but given the national and strategic importance of the road, our men and machinery worked overnight to meet the targets set out by Director-General, Border Roads," he said.

Pardeep Raj, Commander 753 BRTF, who looks after road construction of this sector, said the BRO personnel were acclimatised through a tedious process and lot of training before being assigned the job.

"Acclimatisation of men is done at three stages- Leh, Shakti and Numa- before being inducted into the sector.

The physical and mental fitness of men is essential for working in the area as the working season is limited in the region," he said.