Ladakh, India – India’s Border Roads Organization completed construction of the world’s highest motorable road, which passes over the UmlingLa Pass at 19,300 feet above sea level in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir near the Indo-China border.
The 86 kilometer strategic road connects the villages of Chisumle and Demchok near Hanle and approximately 230 kilometers from Leh. Constructing the world’s highest motorable road has been a logistical headache for the BRO’s Project Himank. Crews dealt with extreme altitudes, freezing temperatures, low oxygen rates, health issues, acclimatization issues, and underpowered machines.
The Border Roads Organization (BRO) “develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and friendly neighbouring countries.” The BRO’s Project HIMANK began in 1985 and is “responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads and related infrastructure including the world’s highest motorable roads across the Khardung La, Tanglang La and Chang La passes” (Wikipedia.org and Wikipedia.org).
