World’s highest pass Umling La reopened for traffic 2 months ahead of schedule

The world’s highest motorable mountain pass, Umling La, has been reopened for vehicular traffic about two months ahead of schedule after post-winter snow clearance operations were undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

Located at an elevation of 19,024 feet in south-eastern Ladakh, Umling La provides the vital road link to Demchok and adjoining areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, a sensitive region that witnesses frequent Chinese military activity. The pass is also becoming an increasingly popular destination for adventure enthusiasts and bikers.

Like other high passes in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, Umling La remains closed during winter months due to heavy snow. The routes are reopened by the BRO in early summer, but some stretches remain susceptible to snow spells even in the summer months.

Earlier this month, the BRO reopened the strategic 11,500-foot high Zoji La Pass that connects Kashmir with Ladakh along National Highway–1, in record time. It remained closed for vehicular traffic for just 32 days during the winter season.

Snow clearance by the BRO is also under way along the Manali–Leh highway that provides an alternative road link to Ladakh, and on which lie several of the highest and most difficult motorable passes in the world like Baralacha La, Tangang La, Nakee La and Lachulung La.

Since the roads to Ladakh remain inaccessible during winters, logistic support to the northern sector and sustenance of forward posts, including availability of critical supplies and troop rotation, depends solely on air maintenance by the Indian Air Force and the Army Aviation Corps.

The closure of roads also affects the local populace in the region who require many items that are shipped from other parts of the country in the summers, and also depend economically on the inflow of tourist.

The Border Roads Organisation, functioning under the Ministry of Defence, is tasked with the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges and tunnels in border regions of the country. Though most of its work is along the Himalayan frontier in the northern and north-eastern theaters, it also has a presence in other border states and has undertaken projects in some friendly foreign countries.

It was only recently that the Central Government allowed tourists to visit some sensitive border regions in Ladakh and the north-east, access to which heretofore was restricted. The BRO has also launched a website to promote tourism in border areas.