NB Explains | India to construct world's highest motorable road at 19,400 feet, a strategic road near LAC in eastern Ladakh

New Delhi, Aug 17: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has begun the construction of the world's highest motorable road, the Likaru-Migla-Fukche road close to Hanle in eastern Ladakh. Earlier in 2021, the Umling La pass was constructed at a height of 19,024 becoming the world's highest motorable pass.

 

 

 

 

The 64 Km long road will connect Likaru to Fukche which is situated 3 km away from the LAC in eastern Ladakh. The new highest motorable pass will set a new world record of being the motorable road at an altitude of 19,400 ft.

 

The World's new Highest Motorable Road Likaru-Migla-Fukche will be a 64 Km long road will provide an axis connecting Hanle to CDFD road at Fukche. The strategically important road will pass through Migla which is at 19400 feet. A budget of approximately Rs 520 crores has been slated for the ambitious project.

 

 

So far Umling La pass constructed at a height of 19,024 became the world's highest motorable pass constructed by BRO in the year 2021. The Umlingla pass also entered the Guinness Book for surpassing Bolivia's Uturuncu volcano road that is constructed at 18,953 ft. Umling La pass is a 52 km long road that connects Chishumle to Demchok which is right on the LAC and is also a friction point between India and China.

 

 

 

The ambitious Likaru-Migla-Fukche project is the first project in India to be undertaken by All Woman Road Construction Company. The five-member all-woman Border Road Task Force is being commanded by Col. Ponung Doming of the Engineers Corps of the Indian Army now leading the BRO's All Women BRTF. This is the world's highest BRTF to be located above 19,000 ft in extreme weather conditions.

 

The temperature in this location varies between -50°C and -20°C throughout the year. The location is strategically important and BRO has built a 32,000 Km long network of roads in the past 3 years to provide access to the Defence forces deployed close to the LAC. The strategic roads and bridges being constructed by Border Roads Organisation are capable of facilitating the movement of heavy weapons and vehicles for the Army.

 

The BRO is using the best machinery and scientific methods of road construction to provide all-weather road access to the forces. The construction material being used for these roads ensures less damage due to heavy snowfall in winters so that they can be maintained quickly for movement as the snow melts.

 

This strategic road will not only empower the forces but also improve the quality of life for the people living in these border areas. There will be immense improvement in the social and economic conditions of the people who have been living in these villages close to the borders.