LADAKH: The Border Roads Organisation’s ‘Project Himank’ has once again created history by surpassing its own Guinness World Record for the highest motorable road. The team successfully reached Mig La Pass at an altitude of 19,400 feet on Likaru-Mig La-Fukche road alignment in Leh district, overtaking the previous record set at Umling La (19,024 feet), according to a BRO statement issued in Leh. It bears mention here in the local Ladakhi language, a mountain pass is called La.
In the context of Ladakh, the word “La” means “mountain pass” and is derived from the Tibetan language, which is widely spoken by the local Ladakhis. The name “Ladakh” itself combines this word with “Dakh,” meaning “country” or “land of,” to describe the region as the “Land of High Passes”.
The milestone, it said, was achieved on Wednesday when the BRO team led by Chief Engineer of Project Himank Brig Vishal Srivastava reached Mig La Pass, proudly hoisting the National and BRO flags at this unparalleled height. The connectivity from Likaru to Mig La pass and further to Fukche village is of immense strategic and infrastructural significance, serving as the third vital axis from the Hanle sector to the border village of Fukche near the Indo-China border. Incidentally, Hanle is one astronomical laboratory like no other and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had visited it some time ago.
The BRO has been instrumental in connecting some of the world’s highest mountain passes, with 11 out of the 14 highest motorable passes globally built by it, the statement said. Beyond its strategic importance, the Mig La Pass is expected to provide a major boost to tourism in Ladakh.
Its breathtaking vistas of the Indus Valley and the exhilarating journey to the pass promise visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the BRO said, adding that while the route presents formidable challenges, it also rewards travellers with unparalleled beauty and adventure. However, there are words of caution that need to be added here. Higher the altitude, rarer the atmospheric oxygen is in air. As such, those who plan to visit these areas should take all precautions associated with sickness induced by less oxygen in the air.
The extraordinary achievement stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit, engineering excellence, and unwavering dedication of the BRO, which continues to push the boundaries of road construction in some of the world’s most difficult terrains, its statement added.
At one time, Khardung La was the highest motorable road till the road at Uming La got that honour. Now, even Uming La has been relegated to second spot with this new motorable road at Mig La. On the official website of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Khardung La is described as: The second highest motor-able pass in the world after Umling la(pass). Umling-la is the highest motor-able road in the world, which also happens to be in the Union Territory of Ladakh and was recently accomplished by BRO (Border Road Organisation). Khardung la is the gateway to Shyok and Nubra valleys and it leads to endless scenic vistas. Positioned on the Ladakh range, Khardung la is 40km(s) from Leh at an altitude of 18,379ft (5602m). The fluttering Buddhist traditional colourful flags on the top and the chilly winds make one enjoy the hot servings at the highest cafeteria in the world at Khardung-la top, a little more. Tourists should keep in mind the effects of high altitude while travelling to Khardung La.
With the Mig La road coming up, the road at Khardung La has been relegated in the world and within Ladakh too, as the third highest motorable road. Incidentally, Khardung La with an approximate height of 18,380 feet is 1,020 feet lower than the new road at Mig La.
