The world records achieved by the BRO symbolise cutting-edge leadership and the government’s foresight & support.
THE Border Roads Organisation (BRO), an emblem of the nation’s engineering prowess and determination, has put Bharat on the global infrastructure map by creating eight world records — and all during the past three years. Today, the Tricolour flies high with pride on the highest road (at an altitude of 19,024 ft) in the world.
Building roads in the plains and in the mountains are two entirely different activities. The latter was neglected by previous governments, thereby stunting the progress of the mountainous region and remote areas along the northern borders. Due to the lack or absence of infrastructure in many border villages, the people got deprived of the fruits of progress, to the extent that a large proportion of them were not even getting access to Central Government schemes.
The government has played a pivotal role in the transformation of the BRO through enhanced budgetary support and the sanctioning of ambitious projects. BRO Karmyogis have responded well against all odds of the harshest terrain and the most inclement weather conditions and created seven out of eight world records at freezing heights in Ladakh alone.
The 52-km-long road connecting Chisumle to Demchok passes through Umling La at 19,024 ft, which is not only higher than Siachen Glacier but also pips both the base camps of Mount Everest in Nepal and Tibet.
The Atal tunnel is another engineering marvel that represents a significant milestone in India’s infrastructure development. It is the world’s longest highway tunnel, situated above 10,000 ft, stretching for 9.02 km to connect Manali to Lahaul & Spiti Valley.
The world’s highest Bailey suspension bridge at Shyok village at an altitude of 11,960 ft is a critical link on the Darbuk–Shyok–Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) Road. However, this has been supplemented by a 120-metre-long ‘class 70’ permanent iron bridge which was inaugurated by the Defence Minister from the bridge site on October 28, 2022.
The world’s highest oxygen café has come as a boon for the bikers and tourists who started visiting the world’s highest road at Umling La of late, and has become a social media sensation.
The BRO inducted 755 Task Force/Himank at Hanle, situated at 15,000 ft, to construct the world’s highest road connecting Likaru to Fukche. This task force at Hanle has been declared the world’s highest construction task force; it is also responsible for the construction of the world’s highest fighter airbase at Nyoma (13,700 ft).
The 78 RCC (Road Construction Company) of 50 TF/Himank located at Burtse (16,200 ft) is responsible for the construction/maintenance of the strategically most critical Darbuk–Shyok–DBO and SBG roads in the harshest terrain of the Sub-Sector North.
The world’s highest workshop, which is located at Sultan Chushku (14,650 ft), is responsible for the repair and maintenance of a huge number of machines and equipment involved in construction of roads and bridges in the DBO sector. Sultan Chushku is situated south of Murgo (‘Gateway to death’).
To deal with medical emergencies involving tourists, locals as well as security personnel, the BRO has constructed a medical centre equipped with modern facilities at Umling La. This is the world’s highest medical centre.
The Sela tunnel, the world’s longest bi-lane tunnel above 13,000 ft, would ensure all-weather connectivity between Guwahati and Tawang.
The BRO started constructing the world’s highest road on August 15, 2023, connecting Likaru, Migla (19,400 ft) and Fukche through a stretch of 64 km. This road will break the BRO’s own record of Umling La. Of the 14 highest roads in the world, 11 are in India.
Work is going on in full swing at Nyoma airbase, which will provide strategic edge to the Indian Air Force over China and extend operational and logistic reach of the Army in Eastern Ladakh.
The BRO has completed work on the world’s highest bridge located at an altitude of 15,300 ft at Saser Brangsa over the Shyok river in just one working season last year. This 345-metre-long bridge is ‘class 70’ and has seven piers resting on a total of 329 micropiles. The bridge is awaiting dedication to the nation.
The Shinkun La tunnel at an altitude of 15,855 ft will connect 36 villages of Zanskar to 137 villages of Lahaul & Spiti and would be the world’s highest tunnel, beating the record of China’s Mila tunnel (15,584 ft).
The BRO has completed three tunnels during the past three years, while 10 are under construction. The organisation is poised to take up at least eight more tunnels in the near future, for which planning process is near complete. Six of these tunnels would be higher than Mont Blanc (15,771 ft) — the highest peak in the Alps. Till now, the world used to look with awe and admiration at mountain tunnels in the Alps, but the focus will soon be shifting to India when it comes to the construction of tunnels at super-high altitudes.
The world records achieved by the BRO are more than engineering marvels; these symbolise human grit and resilience, cutting-edge leadership as well as the government’s foresight and support. Demonstrating exceptional skills in various construction sectors, the BRO is emerging as a source of inspiration for the global construction industry.