Sonamarg, June 9 -- The Zojila tunnel project, Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel, is set to achieve a major breakthrough on Tuesday with the completion of over 13 km of excavation work, paving the way for all-weather road connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will witness the breakthrough blast at the project site near Minamarg, officials said.

Built at an estimated cost of Rs 6,500 crore, the strategic tunnel will bypass the treacherous Zojila Pass, which remains closed for several months each year due to heavy snowfall. Once operational, it will ensure uninterrupted movement of goods, vehicles, and defence logistics across the Himalayan region.

Officials said the tun...