Scripting history, BRO to carve world’s first glaciated motorable road in Ladakh

New Delhi, December 7: Scripting history, a team of the Border Roads Organization is constructing the world’s first glaciated motorable road in Ladakh. Being constructed at an altitude of over 17,800 feet, the road from Sasoma to Saser La will be a vital link paved in a region which is mostly cut-off during the severe winter months.

A few months ago, the BRO built a 35 km bridge that leads to Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield. The construction of the bridge was an arduous task, but the bridge is of great strategic importance. Braving extremely adverse weather conditions, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under Project Himank, is carving out the world's first glaciated motorable road.

The construction of this road is under Project HIMANK, a project which was started by the BRO in August 1985 which is responsible for the construction of the world’s highest motorable roads. Saser La, also known as Saser Pass, is a high mountain pass which lies in the Karakoram range. Being constructed at an altitude of over 17800 feet, [the] road from Sasoma to Saser La will be a vital link paved over glaciers which are unstable and frequently change their physical nature.

Saser La is located on the ancient summer caravan route from Leh in Ladakh to Yarkand in the Tarim Basin. They also opened the highway connecting Srinagar to Leh in May 1999, allowing India to make a strategic, timely military advance during the Kargil War. The same team is now constructing the road between Sasoma and Saser La.

This project is extremely challenging, and the weather conditions just push the difficulty level further. The construction of the road is special due to challenges posed by glaciers and the presence of moraines in the area. Besides adverse weather, biting cold, bone-chilling winds, there is also the danger of crevasses and avalanches occurring while the road is being constructed.

Pointing out at the worst climatic conditions, a BRO spokesperson informed that the temperatures drop to as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius during the winter, while in the peak of summer it goes to about 12 degrees. Working in these conditions can be a herculean task, adding to which is the fact that glaciers shift constantly as the snow melts.

So if you are planning a trip to Ladakh get ready for this exciting journey.