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.