Ladakh’s Mig La set to dethrone Umling La as the world’s highest motorable pass

BRO’s next milestone: Mig La, soon to be the world’s highest motorable pass in Ladakh. (Representative Image: Canva)

Ladakh is gearing up to etch its name in history once again. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is carving out a new all-weather motorable pass near Mig La in Eastern Ladakh at a breathtaking altitude of 19,400 feet. Once complete, Mig La will dethrone Umling La (19,024 feet) as the world’s highest motorable pass — a title that has been Ladakh’s pride for years.

This is not just a road. It’s a lifeline, a statement of resilience, and a symbol of India’s growing mastery in high-altitude engineering. When Mig La opens, it won’t just be the world’s highest motorable pass — it will be a testament to human endurance, women’s leadership, and India’s strategic vision. For travelers, it promises an adventure like no other. For Ladakh, it promises growth. For India, it promises strength.

BRO’s not just building roads — they’re rewriting records. After Umling La, Mig La is set to push boundaries even further, cementing India’s position at the top of the world.

Umling La’s Successor in the Making

Currently, Umling La — the 52 km road connecting Chishumle to Demchok along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) — holds the record for the highest motorable road in the world. But Mig La is set to push the bar even higher.

Being developed under Project Himank, the pass forms part of the Likaru–Mig La–Fukche axis, aimed at ensuring year-round access in one of the toughest, coldest and most strategic zones in India. This new connectivity will serve both civilians in remote settlements and India’s defence forces operating near the LAC.

Built to Brave the Impossible

BRO engineers are equipping the road with advanced features to withstand -50°C winters, blistering winds, and low-oxygen conditions. The project reaffirms India’s capability to execute world-class infrastructure at extreme altitudes where most construction seems impossible.

The Women Powering Mig La

What makes Mig La even more historic is the team behind it. Leading the charge is an all-women Border Roads Task Force, commanded by Colonel Ponung Doming of the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers. Operating above 19,000 feet, where survival itself is a challenge, these five women engineers are scripting a new chapter — smashing stereotypes, proving grit, and making history in the harshest of terrains.

What Mig La Means for Ladakh

Mig La is more than a strategic road. It’s also a gateway to opportunity. Local leaders believe it will:

• Boost tourism, with breathtaking views of Dumtsele Valley.
• Draw more travelers than Umling La, fueling homestays, cafés, and guesthouses.
• Complement Hanle’s fame as a dark sky reserve, potentially making the region a hub for astro-tourism.

The Legacy of Project Himank

Since 1985, Project Himank has been BRO’s spearhead in Ladakh, building roads that seemed unimaginable — from keeping the Zojila Pass open during Operation Vijay to ensuring connectivity around Pangong Tso and the Siachen base. With Mig La, Himank adds yet another feather to its cap, cementing its role in both India’s defence preparedness and Ladakh’s civilian development.

A Road to the Future

When Mig La opens, it won’t just be the world’s highest motorable pass — it will stand as a testament to human endurance, women’s leadership, and India’s strategic vision. For travelers, it promises an adventure like no other; for Ladakh, it signifies growth; and for India, it embodies strength.