In news- The Border Roads Organisation has constructed and black-topped the highest motorable road in the world in eastern Ladakh.
More information-
- The road at Umlingla Pass is constructed at an altitude of 19,300 ft.
- 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 previous record of the highest road was in Bolivia at 18,953 ft.
- This new road now connects the important towns in Chumar sector of eastern Ladakh.
- It 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 base camp in Tibet is at 16,900 feet.
- The road has been constructed much above the altitude of Siachen Glacier which is at 17,700 ft.
- Khardung La Pass in Ladakh is India’s second highest road at nearly 17,600 feet.
Source: PIB
