On the occasion of India’s Independence Day, News9 Plus showcased the remarkable accomplishment of an all-woman team from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) stationed in Hanle, Ladakh.
With Nivriti Mohan, Vinayak Sharma, and Naresh Kumar leading the News9 Plus team, they were on the frontlines to capture the historic flag-hoisting event conducted by this exceptional all-woman team, as they lead in the construction of infrastructure in one of India’s most challenging terrains.
The only news platform to reach the most remote and hazardous areas in the northernmost part of the country, News9 Plus defied treacherous weather conditions to capture this monumental event. This achievement underscores News9 Plus’s unwavering commitment to delivering innovative and extraordinary content to its audience, the TV9 group said in a statement.
The 64-kilometer road under construction will link Likaru to Fukche, a mere three kilometers away from the Eastern Ladakh Line of Actual Control (LAC). This road will boast the new highest motorable pass at a breathtaking altitude of 19,400 feet, setting a world record that surpasses the previously held title by the Umling La at 19,024 feet, established in 2021.
On Independence Day, a tribute is paid to these women who secure the heights of the nation. Their inspiring journey will soon be featured in an exclusive story on News9 Plus, a pioneering news OTT platform.
Standing at a remarkable elevation of 14,450 feet, Hanle’s extreme climatic conditions, with temperatures plummeting to as low as -20 to -30 degrees Celsius, presented an extraordinary challenge. Led by Colonel Ponung Doming, a team of five engineers defied odds to become the world’s first all-woman unit to be stationed at such a remarkable height.
Col. Doming said, “The road we inaugurated, the Likaru-Mig La-Fukche road spanning 64 km, traverses the imposing Mig La Pass at an elevation of 19,400 feet. Once completed, it will not only surpass the esteemed Umling La Pass but also set a new global benchmark, establishing a world record.”
These remarkable women lead BRO’s Project Himank, initiated in 1985, which plays a pivotal role in constructing and maintaining roads in the Ladakh region, including the world’s high motorable roads.
Likaru-Mig La-Fukche, now recognized as the world’s new highest motorable road, holds strategic importance as it connects Hanle to CDFD road at Fukche. This achievement not only bolsters India’s swift force deployment capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) but also facilitates the development of the nation’s remote border regions.