A Thoroughfare In The Skies: World’s First Glaciated Motorable Road Being Carved Out In Ladakh By BRO

At a height of around 17,800 feet in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ladakh region, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is constructing the world’s ‘first’ glaciated motorable roads, Greater Kashmir has reported.

A spokesperson of BRO told Greater Kashmir that the road connecting Sasoma to Saser La will be one of the first motorable roads passing through glaciers in eastern Ladakh.

“Being constructed at an altitude of over 17800 feet, road Sasoma to Saser La will be a vital link paved over glaciers which are unstable and frequently change their physical nature,” said the spokesperson.

The road construction will pose a major challenge to the organisation as it will not only have to face the adverse weather, biting cold and bone-chilling winds but will also have to endure the danger of crevasses and avalanches. Besides, the glaciers and presence of moraines in the area makes the work more difficult.

The temperature dips to -50 degree Celsius during winters. During summers, the temperature reaches 12 degree Celsius. The organisation, in view of the limited time available to perform the task, has to make preparations and chalk out a working strategy four-five months in advance.