Project Himank
{{Short description|Civil infrastructure project of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Ladakh, northern India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Himank
| image =
| caption =
| nickname = The Mountain Tamers
| start_date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1985|12|04}}
| country = {{IND}}
| type = Army, Engineering
| role = To construct and maintain motorable roads in Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control
| garrison = Leh, Ladakh, India
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| anniversaries = Raising Day: 05 December; BRO Day: 7 May
| motto = Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam
| website = [https://bro.gov.in bro.gov.in]
| commander1 = Lt. Gen.
| commander1_label = Director General
| commander2 = Brigadier Vishal Srivastava {{Cite web |title=Delegation comprising officials from MoRTH, Project Himank calls on Hon'ble Lt Governor Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd. {{!}} The Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh {{!}} India |url=https://ladakh.nic.in/delegation-comprising-officials-from-morth-project-himank-calls-on-honble-lt-governor-brig-dr-bd-mishra-retd/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |language=en-US}}
| commander2_label = Chief Engineer
}}
Himank, also known as Project HIMANK is a project of the Border Roads Organisation under the Ministry of Defence of India. It was established in August 1985 to facilitate the construction of road infrastructure in Ladakh and parts of Jammu and Kashmir under the India–China Border Roads project. The project is also involved in providing all year access to military bases and outposts in Siachen glacier, along the Line of actual control and areas near the Pangong Tso lake.{{Cite web |title=Himank |url=http://bro.gov.in/indexmain.asp?lang=1&projectid=39&cat_id=2 |url-status=dead |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Border Roads Organisation |archive-date=1 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701223023/http://bro.gov.in/indexmain.asp?lang=1&projectid=39&cat_id=2 }}
It has constructed the highest motorable road in the world at Umling La at height of {{convert|19300|ft|m}} along with roads in Khardung La, Tanglang La and Chang La. The project also provided access from Leh to Kargil during the Kargil War in May 1999. Its work in some locations is constrained to only a few months in a year due to extreme climatic conditions. The project undertakes snow clearance works every year to keep major roads in strategic area in Ladakh open during winters.{{Cite news |last=Sharma |first=Reeta |date=2002-10-26 |title=Land of passess made passable |work=The Tribune |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021026/windows/main1.htm |access-date=2023-12-05 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022075404/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021026/windows/main1.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Agencies |date=2023-03-25 |title=Border Roads Organisation opens Leh-Manali Highway in 138 days |url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2023/03/26/border-roads-organisation-opens-leh-manali-highway-in-138-days/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=The Shillong Times |language=en-US |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326012440/https://theshillongtimes.com/2023/03/26/border-roads-organisation-opens-leh-manali-highway-in-138-days/ |url-status=live }}
Command structure
The project is divided mainly into the 16th task force, 753rd task force and 50th task forces which facilitates works in the areas of Spituk, Thiksey and Durbok respectively. Both of these task forces include numerous companies which in turn include platoons and detachments. Project Himank is led by a Chief Engineer of Brigadier rank. The task forces are headed by a commander of Colonel rank, while the companies are headed by an officer commanding, usually of Major rank.{{Cite web |title=eProcurement System Government of India |url=https://eprocure.gov.in/eprocure/app?component=$DirectLink&page=FrontEndViewTender&service=direct&sp=SsAXIXpvZAuEBFBfQig80uA== |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=eprocure.gov.in}}{{Cite web |last=Yumpu.com |title=CA NO CDR 753 BRTF/ /2011-12 - Border Roads Organisation |url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/31453516/ca-no-cdr-753-brtf-2011-12-border-roads-organisation |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=yumpu.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-02 |title=Border Roads Organisation 755 BRTF/PROJ HIMANK/BRO, Hanle, Ladakh (UT) and GREF/50 BRTF/ PROJ HIMANK/BRO, Durbuk, Ladakh (UT) - Alma Times |url=https://almatimes.in/border-roads-organisation-755-brtf-proj-himank-bro-hanle-ladakh-ut-and-gref-50-brtf-proj-himank-bro-durbuk-ladakh-ut/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |language=en-US}}
Major works
The project has connected numerous villages and townships including Chisumle and Demchok with the highest motorable Umling La road.{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2017-11-02 |title=BRO builds world's highest motorable road in Ladakh at 19,300 feet |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/YpojBHOzLBVypMDOylGPXJ/BRO-builds-worlds-highest-motorable-road-in-Ladakh-at-1930.html |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=mint |language=en}} In 2016, the project constructed two strategic bridges namely the Himank Setu and Tsultak Bridge across the Shyok river and Phiya Lung Nallah respectively.{{Cite news |date=2016-07-18 |title=Taming of the Shyok: BRO constructs Himank Setu |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/taming-of-the-shyok-bro-constructs-himank-setu/articleshow/53264686.cms |access-date=2023-12-05 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205113356/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/taming-of-the-shyok-bro-constructs-himank-setu/articleshow/53264686.cms |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Excelsior |first=Daily |date=2016-08-21 |title=BRO constructs bridge on Phiya Lung Nallah |url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/bro-constructs-bridge-phiya-lung-nallah/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=DailyExcelsior |language=en-US |archive-date=12 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212185956/http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/bro-constructs-bridge-phiya-lung-nallah/ |url-status=live }} The project has constructed and maintains the Darbuk–Shyok–DBO Road which leads to Daulat Beg Oldi, a military base along the line of actual control.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-11 |title=Explained: The strategic road to DBO |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/lac-stand-off-india-china-darbuk-shyok-daulat-beg-oldie-dsdbo-road-6452997/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611003958/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/lac-stand-off-india-china-darbuk-shyok-daulat-beg-oldie-dsdbo-road-6452997/ |url-status=live }} The construction of a new tunnel along the DBO road is also under progress.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-04 |title=Exclusive: भारत और चीन के बीच तवांग में हुए संघर्ष के बाद बॉर्डर रोड ऑर्गेनाइजेशन का प्लान 2023 |url=https://www.timesnowhindi.com/india/border-road-organization-plan-2023-after-the-conflict-between-india-and-china-in-tawang-article-96740884 |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Times Now Navbharat |language=hi |archive-date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128080628/https://www.timesnowhindi.com/india/border-road-organization-plan-2023-after-the-conflict-between-india-and-china-in-tawang-article-96740884 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.bro.gov.in/WriteReadData/linkimages/9886029359-Landmark.pdf|title=Achievements of West Dte during the F/Y 2016-17|access-date=2023-12-05|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107072329/http://www.bro.gov.in/WriteReadData/linkimages/9886029359-Landmark.pdf|url-status=live}}
The construction of the Sasoma–Saser La Road on the Siachen glacier and Likaru-Mig La-Fukche road at an altitude of {{convert|19400|ft|m}} is also underway.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-19 |title=In Ladakh, construction for world's new highest motorable road begins. Details |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-ladakh-construction-for-worlds-new-highest-motorable-road-begins-details-101692411157867.html |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=15 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915190706/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-ladakh-construction-for-worlds-new-highest-motorable-road-begins-details-101692411157867.html |url-status=live }} The construction is possible for a short period of time every year due to extreme cold and geographical challenges.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-18 |title=World's First Galciated Motorable Road Being Laid in Ladakh by BRO Amid Extreme Weather Conditions |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/worlds-first-galciated-motorable-road-being-laid-in-ladakh-amid-extreme-weather-conditions-by-bro-1942829.html |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609091851/https://www.news18.com/news/india/worlds-first-galciated-motorable-road-being-laid-in-ladakh-amid-extreme-weather-conditions-by-bro-1942829.html |url-status=live }} The project has also experimented the construction of plastic roads using waste low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyurethane.{{Cite web |last=sbmgramin |date=2023-08-28 |title=Ladakh provides plastic waste to Project Himank |url=https://sbmgramin.wordpress.com/2023/08/28/ladakh-provides-plastic-waste-to-project-himank/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Swachh Bharat (Grameen) |language=en |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902093232/https://sbmgramin.wordpress.com/2023/08/28/ladakh-provides-plastic-waste-to-project-himank/ |url-status=live }} The project is also constructing a 3D printed air despatch unit in Chandigarh airport which aims to provide logistical support to the project.{{Cite web |last=PTI |title=BRO DG inspects construction of air dispatch unit touted to be 'world's largest 3D concrete printed campus' |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/punjab/bro-dg-inspects-construction-of-air-dispatch-unit-touted-to-be-worlds-largest-3d-concrete-printed-campus-2698942 |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205113309/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/punjab/bro-dg-inspects-construction-of-air-dispatch-unit-touted-to-be-worlds-largest-3d-concrete-printed-campus-2698942 |url-status=live }}
Road signs
Project HIMANK is known to install humorous road signs along roads in Ladakh, photos of which are the subject of the book Peep Peep Don't Sleep.{{Cite web |date=2014-04-12 |title=20 Ridiculously Witty Road Signs You Will See On The Way To Ladakh |url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/entertainment/witty-road-signs/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=ScoopWhoop |language=en |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331072059/https://www.scoopwhoop.com/entertainment/witty-road-signs/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite book |last1=Jain |first1=Ajay |title=Peep peep, don't sleep |last2=Dubey |first2=Nimish |date=2008 |publisher=Kunzum, travel imprint of TCP Media Pvt. Ltd |isbn=978-81-906007-2-9 |edition=1 |location=New Delhi}} Signboards, notably those in the Nubra Valley, offer philosophical statements from singer Patti LaBelle, French author Jules Renard, singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and early Zionist Jessie Sampter.
Photo gallery
{{Commons category|Himank road signs}}
{{Gallery
|title=
|width=250
|height=200
|align=center
File:Peep, Peep - Don't Sleep. Sign in Ladakh. 2010.jpg
|File:Jules Renard quotation on Himank BRO sign board in the Nubra Valley, Ladakh, Northern India.JPG|
|File:Jessie Sampter quotation on Himank BRO sign board in the Nubra Valley, Ladakh, Northern India.JPG|
|File:Jimmy Buffett Himank BRO sign in Nubra Valley, Ladakh, Northern India.jpg|
|File:Himank - God is One.jpg|
|File:After Whiskey Driving Risky. Jispa to Leh.jpg|
|File:If Married Divorce Speed. Ladakh.jpg|
|File:Peep, Peep - Don't Sleep. Sign in Ladakh. 2010.jpg|
}}