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Know about project HIMANK: World’s highest motorable road in Ladakh

Know about project HIMANK: World’s highest motorable road in Ladakh
Know about project HIMANK: World’s highest motorable road in Ladakh

Under Project Himank, the Indian Army has undertaken several road construction projects in the high-altitude areas of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand to improve the connectivity and mobility of the troops. The construction of these roads has been a challenging task due to the harsh terrain and extreme weather conditions in these regions.

One of the major road construction projects of the Himank Project is the construction of the Chisumle-Demchok highway in eastern Ladakh.

The construction of this highway involves the construction of bridges, culverts and tunnels through the challenging terrain of the Himalayas.

Another important road construction project of the Himank Project is the construction of the Darcha-Padum highway in the Zanskar valley, Ladakh.

This road will provide all-weather connectivity to the remote Zanskar villages and reduce their isolation during the winter months when the Zanskar River freezes over.

Apart from these projects, the Indian Army has also undertaken the construction of the Kailash Mansarovar Highway in Uttarakhand and the Zojila Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir under the Himank Project.

These projects will provide better connectivity to border areas and enhance the operational capability of the Indian Army.

What is project HIMANK?

Himank also called the HIMANK Project, is a project of the Border Roads Organization (BRO) in the Ladakh region of the far north of India which started in August 1985. It is known for building some of the most motorable roads highlands of the world through Khardung La, Tanglang La and Chang La Passes.

The project was launched to enhance the operational capability and infrastructure in the high-altitude areas of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.

Project Himank has undertaken several road construction projects, infrastructure development initiatives, and environmental sustainability measures in the high-altitude regions of India.

Under Project Himank, the Indian Army has constructed and upgraded several strategic roads, bridges, and tunnels in high-altitude regions to facilitate the movement of troops, weapons, and supplies

World’s highest motorable road

In 2017, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) built the world’s highest motorable road in the Ladakh region.

The road being constructed under Project HIMANK is the world’s highest motorable road, with an elevation of over 19,300 feet (5,883 meters) above sea level.

The road will provide all-weather connectivity to the forward areas in Ladakh, where the Indian Army is deployed, and will also facilitate the movement of troops and supplies to the Siachen Glacier.

The pass connects Chisumle and Demchok villages in eastern Ladakh and is a vital link for the Indian Army in the region.

The Umling La Pass road is a relatively new road that was built by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) of India as part of its strategic road construction projects in the region. The road was completed in 2018 and is approximately 86 kilometers long.

The construction of the Umling La Pass road was a challenging task due to the harsh terrain and extreme weather conditions in the region. The road passes through some of the highest mountain ranges in the world and is prone to heavy snowfall and landslides during the monsoon season.

Despite the challenges, the BRO has been able to complete the construction of the road up to the Siachen Glacier, making it the world’s highest motorable road.

The road is expected to significantly enhance the connectivity and accessibility of the region, and provide a major boost to the strategic capabilities of the armed forces in the region.

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