In a major feat, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has constructed the world's highest motorable road in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.
This road is passing through Umling La Top at a height of over 19,300 feet.
The feat was achieved under "Project Himank" of the BRO.
Being close to Hanle, the 86-km-long strategic road through Umling La Top connects Chisumle and Demchok villages, located 230km from Leh.
These villages are very close to the India-China border in eastern sector, a spokesman of BRO 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, temperature hovers around minus 10-20 degrees Celsius, and in winters, it dips to minus 40 degrees.
Oxygen level at the altitude is 50% less than at normal places.
Efficiency of machines and manpower declines by 50% due to harsh climate and less oxygen level. Also, machine operators have to come down every 10 minutes for oxygen.
The Project Himank has already constructed roads like Khardung La at an altitude of 17,900 ft and Chang La Pass at 17,695 ft in Leh by connecting Nubra valley and Durbuk valley in the cold desert.
