. ZOJI LA (MINAMARG): Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari pressed Tuesday a button triggering the final “breakthrough” blast in Zoji La Tunnel, removing last three metres of rock and linking two ends of the nearly 14km corridor that will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.With J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah, lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and officials from the Union territory of Ladakh by his side to witness the historic moment, Gadkari described the tunnel as more than a mere transportation project, saying it was a gateway to development for the region.Around an hour after the breakthrough, executing agency Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) allowed about 50 vehicles carrying officials and journalists to make a one-time journey from Minamarg in Ladakh to Baltal in J&K — two ends of the tunnel.The full structure, however, is still around two years from being ready for regular traffic but Gadkari indicated MEIL would complete the work before that. “I am pleased that nearly 80% of those who worked on this project were locals,” the minister said in Minamarg.Gadkari recalled his days as BJP president when he had travelled to Ladakh and residents told him the region remains cut off for nearly six months every year due to harsh winters. “I was deeply moved by their hardships. It became clear to me that a tunnel was essential,” he added.Gadkari stressed that the project gained pace only after the PM Narendra Modi-led NDA govt first came to office in 2014, and recalled that tenders had been attempted four times without a final decision before he took charge of the highways ministry.“When the project came for approval again, estimated cost had reached nearly Rs 12,000 crore. I am happy to say that after completing all work, we expect to finish it under Rs 7,000 crore, saving nearly Rs 5,000 crore of public money. This is a state-of-the-art tunnel with highest safety standards,” Gadkari said.CM Omar described the project as one that will “transform daily life” in the region, expanding access to education, healthcare and markets while significantly boosting tourism and trade. LG Sinha said the tunnel will emerge as a lifeline for the two regions and provide vital strategic support to armed forces.Read the latest news on the go. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia’s Nuclear Posture Shifts As SIPRI Flags Deployment Of 12 Warheads | WatchCongress Alleges EC Blocked Delegation Amid Meenakshi Natarajan Rajya Sabha Nomination Row | WatchCongress Candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha Nomination Rejected In MPCID Searches TMC Offices In Kolkata As Abhishek Faces Third Summons In Signature Forgery ProbeHorse-Trading Fears Trigger Congress Move As MP MLAs Fly To Bengaluru Before VotingInside TMC Turmoil: MPs Revolt, Leaders Resign and NDA aims at powerKalyan Banerjee, Kirti Azad Attack TMC Rebels As Party Faces Biggest Split YetWhy The Centre Lifted Lakshadweep’s 47-Year Liquor Ban: ExplainedPoK Unrest Deepens: Protesters Allege Crackdown, Casualties And BlackoutTMC Crisis Deepens As CID Probes Alleged Fake Signatures In LoP Selection Case | Watch123PhotostoriesTimes ‘Peddi’ star Ram Charan proved to be a family man: ‘I don’t want to miss a single moment with my daughter, Klin’London’s Billionaire Street: 5 most expensive real estate addresses attracting the world’s wealthiest buyers5 brain tumour myths that experts wish people would stop believingLewis Hamilton’s luxury sneaker collection:A look at the F1 star’s footwear obsessionFrom Aamir Khan to Lalit Modi: 10 famous personalities who fell in love with their long-time friendsIndian history and mythology to native language: 6 meaningful ways to connect children with indian heritage5 countries where tipping is considered rudeFrom ‘Om Shanti Om’, ‘Dear Zindagi’ to Yale University: Shah Rukh Khan’s most inspiring quotes that will change your outlook on lifeThe best places to retire in India: Affordable, peaceful, and senior-friendly9 mangoes that are not grown in India and what makes them unique123Hot PicksCUET UG 2026 Answer KeyNFL Trade RumorsMamata BanerjeeMathew BarzalSwapnil SrivastavDana WhiteBrock LesnarTom Brady and Gisele Bündchen DivorcePoK ProtestsTop TrendingBAN vs AUS Live ScoreUS Iran warGold Rate TodayFIFA World Cup 2026Driving Licence ValidityChennai TNSTC BusGautam PatelDU Professor Murder CaseVisakhapatnam Steel Plant AccidentCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation
ZOJI LA (MINAMARG): Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari pressed Tuesday a button triggering the final “breakthrough” blast in Zoji La Tunnel, removing last three metres of rock and linking two ends of the nearly 14km corridor that will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.With J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah, lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and officials from the Union territory of Ladakh by his side to witness the historic moment, Gadkari described the tunnel as more than a mere transportation project, saying it was a gateway to development for the region.Around an hour after the breakthrough, executing agency Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) allowed about 50 vehicles carrying officials and journalists to make a one-time journey from Minamarg in Ladakh to Baltal in J&K — two ends of the tunnel.The full structure, however, is still around two years from being ready for regular traffic but Gadkari indicated MEIL would complete the work before that. “I am pleased that nearly 80% of those who worked on this project were locals,” the minister said in Minamarg.Gadkari recalled his days as BJP president when he had travelled to Ladakh and residents told him the region remains cut off for nearly six months every year due to harsh winters. “I was deeply moved by their hardships. It became clear to me that a tunnel was essential,” he added.Gadkari stressed that the project gained pace only after the PM Narendra Modi-led NDA govt first came to office in 2014, and recalled that tenders had been attempted four times without a final decision before he took charge of the highways ministry.“When the project came for approval again, estimated cost had reached nearly Rs 12,000 crore. I am happy to say that after completing all work, we expect to finish it under Rs 7,000 crore, saving nearly Rs 5,000 crore of public money. This is a state-of-the-art tunnel with highest safety standards,” Gadkari said.CM Omar described the project as one that will “transform daily life” in the region, expanding access to education, healthcare and markets while significantly boosting tourism and trade. LG Sinha said the tunnel will emerge as a lifeline for the two regions and provide vital strategic support to armed forces.
