Delhi, Aug 5: Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed the highest road in the world at the Umlingla Pass in eastern Ladakh. The road has a 52 km long stretch through Umlingla Pass located in Ladakh connecting important towns in the Chumar sector of eastern Ladakh. This is the highest motorable (can be used by motor vehicles) road in the world situated at an altitude of 19,300 feet. The road is constructed much above the altitude of the Siachen Glacier which is at 17,700 feet.
The previous record for the highest motorable road belonged to a road in Bolivia connecting to a volcano named Uturuncu. The road was at an altitude of 18,953 ft. This road is higher than the base camps of Mount Everest (the North base in Tibet is16,900 feet and the South base camp in Nepal is 17,598 feet high.
Construction of this road will be beneficial for the local population as it offers a direct route connecting Chisumle and Demchock. This road will also promote tourism in Ladakh. The construction of the road was a challenge for Border Roads Organisation (BRO) due to the harsh weather conditions during winters with temperature dropping to -40 degrees Celcius and altitude and oxygen levels 50 percent less than the sea level