By building the highest motorable road in the world in eastern Ladakh, India has raised the bar for high-altitude infrastructure. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) broke its own record at Umling La by laying a highway across Mig La Pass at 19,400 feet (5,913 meters) above sea level. The route connects the Hanle region with Fukche hamlet close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and is a part of the Likaru-Mig La-Fukche alignment. Under Project Himank, a group under the command of Brigadier Vishal Srivastava accomplished the accomplishment. The Indian national flag and the BRO flag were raised at the windswept pass to commemorate the completion.
Mig La Pass is at 19,400 feet, higher than the North Base Camp in Tibet (16,900 feet) and the South Base Camp on Mount Everest in Nepal (17,598 feet). Umling La, the previous record holder, is 19,024 feet tall.
In a post on X, the Indian Army showcased the accomplishment, highlighting the engineering difficulty and its effects on border villages.
#BRO creates history again!
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) October 4, 2025
Border Roads Organisation #BRO has once again created history as Project Himank constructed the world’s highest motorable road at Mig La Pass (19,400 ft) in #Ladakh surpassing its own Guinness World Record set at Umling La (19,024 ft).
The newly… pic.twitter.com/AuqFRDT2fk
It’s not common practice to build a road at this altitude. The topography is characterized by loose dirt and chilly winds, temperatures fall well below freezing, and oxygen levels fall to almost half of those at sea level. To finish the route, engineers overcame both physiological and technological obstacles while navigating through snowstorms and erratic weather.
Residents of Hanle and Fukche, who frequently endure prolonged isolation during severe winters, should find life easier thanks to the new route, according to the BRO. Additionally, the alignment is anticipated to facilitate the transportation of necessary supplies, reduce travel times, and enhance year-round access.
