The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has begun constructing a 64 km road near Hanle in the Demchok sector of Eastern Ladakh. Once completed, this road will stand at a height of 19,400 ft at Mig La, making it the highest motorable road in the world.
The present holder of the record
Currently, Umling La in Ladakh holds the title of the world’s highest motorable road. It stands at 19,024 ft and spans 52 km, connecting Chishumle to Demchok. This road is crucial as it runs along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a disputed region between India and China.
The Importance of New Road
A group of female engineers from BRO has started the construction of this new road. This road, connecting Likaru and Fukche, is vital for the armed forces.
It provides easier access to the LAC, which stretches from the Indus Valley in Fukche to Demchok. Notably, Fukche is just three kilometers from the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.
Strategic and Economic Importance
A BRO officer mentioned that the new road would serve as a shortcut to the Chushul-Dungti-Fukche-Demchok (CDFD) road, which runs alongside the LAC. This road will not only be of strategic value but will also boost the socio-economic growth of nearby villages.
Budget and Climate Challenges
The construction budget for this road is around INR 520 crore. It’s essential to highlight that this region experiences heavy snowfall. During summers, temperatures can drop to between minus 10-20 degrees Celsius, and in winters, it can reach as low as minus 40 degrees.
Area’s Geography
Lt. Gen. Rakesh Sharma, who previously led the Fire and Fury Corps in Ladakh, described the region’s geography. He mentioned that the Indus River starts from Tibet at Demchok and travels 75 km between the Kailash and Ladakh ranges. It then turns west, dividing the Ladakh range at Dungti. He emphasized the importance of having an extra road, known as axials in military terms, to connect the Chumar and Hanle sectors to the Indus Valley.
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