BRO builds world's highest motorable road at 19,300 feet in Ladakh
Updated: Nov 02, 2017 | 18:30 IST | Source - Times Now Digital
BRO constructing a road in J&K | Representational image
Srinagar: Adding another feat to its list of achievements, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has built the world's highest motorable road at a height of over 19,300 feet.
PTI reported on Thursday that the road has been constructed in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.
The 86-kilometre long strategic road, constructed under 'Project Himank' of the BRO, connects Chisumle and Demchok villages, which are at a distance of 230 kilometres from Leh. The two villages are stone's throw away from the Indo-China border in the eastern sector.
The road passes through Umlingla Top at a height of over 19,300 feet.
Describing the construction of the road as a herculean task, Chief Engineer, Project Himank, Brigadier D M Purvimath, said the work involved life-threatening challenges.
Stating that the climate at such a height is always adverse for construction activities, Purvimath stated, “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.”
"Efficiency of machines and manpower 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 added.
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 serious 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 emphasised upon for working in the area as the working season is limited in the region," he said.
The Project Himank has already constructed roads like Khardangu La at an altitude of 17,900 ft and Changla Pass at 17,695 ft in Leh by connecting Nobra valley and Durbuk valley in the cold desert.
(With PTI inputs)
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