"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
3 Nov 2017
India builds World's highest motorable road that passes through the Umlingla top at a height of over 19,300 ft.
The outstanding construction comes under Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh region, 86 km road was constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under the ‘Project Himank’ in almost six years.
Project Himank before building the Umlingla Pass road had also constructed the Khardangu La pass in Ladakh at 17,900 ft and Chang La pass at 17,695 ft.
But the road to the Uturuncu dormant volcano in Bolivia at 18,953 ft was believed to be the world’s highest motorable. And now the Umlingla Top is world's highest, truly it is India's Pride.
Though it was not easy to achieve such a difficult task, all hands were put together with stop at nothing attitude. Many life threating challenges were faced by the workers said the Chief Engineer, Project Himank, Brigadier DM Purvimath. He also added the temperature was around minus 10-20 degrees C during peak summers and went down to almost -40 degrees C during winters. And because of severe climate efficiency of Manpower and machines declines to 50%.
The machine operators had to come down after every 10 mins for oxygen. Though special training was given to the workers before recruiting them serious health problems were faced by them like loss of memory, eyesight and high blood pressure said the Commander, 753 BRTF, Pardeep Raj, who looked after the road construction.
He also added, “Acclimatisation of men is done at three stages- Leh, Shakti and Numa- before being inducted into the sector. Physical and mental fitness of men is emphasised upon for working in the area as the working season is limited in the region.”
The highest motorable road also had to face the objection of China as the road connects the villages of Chisumle and Demchok which are very close to China Border.
Finally looking on the brighter side, this proves that nothing can stop the Indians... and the sky is the limit.