At over 17,000 ft high altitude, a new 80 km mountainous road to Kailash Manasarovar, constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), was opened recently. The new route extends from Ghatiabgarh-Uttarakhand to Lipulekh Pass, close to the Line of Actual Control. This new route will greatly help the pilgrims as it reduces the travel time from three weeks to one week and ushers a new era in border connectivity.

As many as 20 units of Komatsu PC210-8M0 hydraulic excavators worked arduously in this inhospitable terrain, making it happen. Some of these machines, fitted with Rammer rock breakers, were used for breaking and excavating blasted hard rock, often disrupted by snowfall, landslides and flash floods. Komatsu PC210 machines played a critical role in the construction despite engaged for only six-seven months in a year owing to the snowy conditions for the balance period. The project was executed by Garg & Garg based in Ropar, Punjab, and was engaged by BRO to complete a major portion of this road construction project. L&T supplied the Komatsu machines and provided the service support to the customer at site.