India beat Bolivia’s record by building the world’s highest road in Ladakh

• Image Credit: Internet

• Aug 5, 2021 | moderator

Leh: Securing a befitting feat, the Border Roads Organisation constructed the world’s highest road in eastern Ladakh. The road is built at an altitude of 19,300 feet. The road has been constructed at an altitude higher than the Mount Everest base camps – the south base camp in Nepal is at an altitude of 17,598 feet while the north case camp in Tibet is at 16,900 feet.

"The road at Umlingla Pass constructed at an altitude of 19,300 ft betters the previous record of a road in Bolivia at 18,953 ft. Umlingla Pass is now connected with a blacktop road to enhance the socio-economic condition and promote tourism in Ladakh," the government said.

Due to the rough terrain and harsh weather conditions in Ladakh, infrastructure development works become tough to be carried in this part of the country. During winters, the temperature falls to -40 degrees Celsius and the oxygen level goes down as one ascends its higher altitudes.

In making the record, the BRO constructed a 52-km-long tarmac road through Umlingla Pass, bettering the previous record of a road in Bolivia connecting to its volcano Uturuncu at 18,953 feet.