Himank
Active1968 - Present
Country India
TypeArmy, Engineering
RoleTo construct and maintain motorable roads in Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control
HeadquartersLeh, Ladakh, India
Motto(s)Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam
AnniversariesRaising Day: 05 December; BRO Day: 7 May
Websitebro.gov.in
Commanders
Director GeneralLt. Gen. Raghu Srinivasan[1]
Chief EngineerBrigadier Gaurav Karki[2]

Himank, also styled as Project HIMANK, is a project of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in the Ladakh region of northernmost India that started in August 1985.[3] It is known for constructing some of the world's highest motorable roads across the Khardung La, Tanglang La and Chang La passes. Umling la is the highest motorable road with height of 5,882 meters (19,300 feet). It is responsible for constructing and maintaining motorable roads in Ladakh, along the Line of Actual Control. The project ensures access to sensitive military areas including the world's highest battleground at the Siachen Glacier and Pangong Tso Lake (at 4,420 meters or 14,500 feet), whose waters span the de facto India-China border. Nicknamed "The Mountain Tamers", much of Himank's work is constrained to four months per year, as heavy snow and extreme cold make some roads inaccessible at times. Between 1987 and 2002, at least 124 Himank personnel were killed while on duty in Ladakh, including five officers.[4] Most of its manual laborers are from Bihar state, not Ladakh. They are nicknamed Dumkas (earlier in the Bihar state and now in the Jharkhand state), where many of the original Himank workers were recruited.[5]

Drive Slow sign by Himank in the Nubra Valley, Ladakh, India.

Historical landmarks

  • Himank constructed the world's highest 86 km motorable road in Ladakh region, between Chisumle and Demchok villages,[6] passing through Umlingla Top at a height of over 19,300 feet.[7][8]
  • Himank constructed the world's highest Bailey bridge at Khardung La, though this has been subsequently replaced by a causeway.
  • Himank's opening of the Srinagar-to -Leh highway in May 1999 was a crucial factor in Operation Vijay allowing India to make a timely military response in the Kargil war.
  • The Sasoma–Saser La Road will be the "world's first glaciated motorable road" once completed.[9]

Road signs

Project HIMANK is known to post humorous road signs,[10] photos of which are the subject of the book Peep Peep Don't Sleep.[11] Examples include:

I'm curvacious, but please take me slowly.
Better Mr. Late than Late Mr.
Let your insurance policy mature before you.
On the bend go slow friend
Feel the curves / Do not test them
Darling I like you / but not so fast
Safety on road / is “safe tea” / at home
After whisky / driving risky
Don't Gossip Let Him Drive
If you are married, divorce speed
Don't be a Gama in the land of Lama.
Way of worship may be different but GOD is One.[12]

Other Himank signboards, notably those in the Nubra Valley, offer philosophical statements from those as disparate as singer Patti LaBelle, French author Jules Renard, singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and early Zionist Jessie Sampter.[13]

Himank signboards
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Category:Himank road signs.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Lt General Raghu Srinivasan assumes charge as Border Roads Organisation chief". India Today. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  2. ↑ "Brigadier Gaurav S Karki flags off Ace Ultra Cyclist Preeti Maske's attempt to set new world record in cycling". All India Radio. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  3. ↑ "BRO site". Archived from the original on 12 August 2010. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
  4. ↑ 2002 The Tribune article
  5. ↑ Tribune article 2002
  6. ↑ "BRO builds world's highest motorable road in Ladakh at 19300 feet".
  7. ↑ "BRO builds world's highest motorable road in Ladakh". The Times of India.
  8. ↑ "Achievements of West Dte during the F/Y 2016-17" (PDF).
  9. ↑ "World's First Galciated Motorable Road Being Laid in Ladakh by BRO Amid Extreme Weather Conditions". CNN-News18. PTI. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  10. ↑ This biker collects the amazing and funny road signs of Ladakh http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/1884960/report-this-biker-collects-the-amazing-road-safety-signs-of-ladakh
  11. ↑ Amazon review of Peep Peep Don't Sleep
  12. ↑ "Picture gallery HIMANK". Archived from the original on 20 July 2009. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  13. ↑ see photos

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