World's New Highest Motorable Road Constructed At Umling La, Ladakh

India has a new record now. The Border Road Organisation (BRO) has built the world's highest road at Umling La in eastern Ladakh at an altitude of 19,300 feet. which is higher than the Mount Everest base camp area. Just to give you a perspective, the south base camp in Nepal is at an altitude of 17,598 feet, while the north base camp in Tibet is at 16,900 feet. And to further give you an idea, most large commercial aircraft fly at 30,000 feet and above and this road is at an altitude that's more than half of that, which is quite an achievement.

The government said in a statement, "The road at Umling La Pass constructed at an altitude of 19,300 ft betters previous record of a road in Bolivia at 18,953 ft. Umling La Pass is now connected with a black top road to enhance socio-economic condition and promote tourism in Ladakh." It's a 52 km long tarmac stretch that BRO has constructed through Umling La Pass. It outdoes the previous record of a road in Bolivia connecting to its volcano Uturuncu at 18,953 feet. Infrastructure development in such harsh and tough terrain is extremely challenging as in winter, the temperature falls to -40 degree Celsius and the oxygen level at this altitude is almost 50 per cent less than at normal places.

The road now connects the important towns in Chumar sector of eastern Ladakh and it will help local population as it offers an alternate direct route connecting Chisumle and Demchok from Leh. It will enhance the socio-economic condition and promote tourism in Ladakh. Khardung La Pass in Ladakh is also one of the world's highest roads at nearly 17,600 feet.