Strategic Leap: PM Modi Inaugurates Northeast’s First Emergency Landing Facility in Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Northeast's first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on an Assam highway. Discover the strategic importance and the mega IAF air show.
Rajeev
DIBRUGARH, ASSAM — Marking a historic milestone in India’s defense and regional infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Northeast's first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Moran bypass in Dibrugarh district. In a powerful display of the facility’s capabilities, the Prime Minister arrived at the site in an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, landing directly on the newly developed 4.2-km highway airstrip.
The inauguration was accompanied by a spectacular IAF Air Show, featuring frontline fighter jets like the Rafale and Sukhoi-30 MKI, as well as heavy-lift transport aircraft, showcasing India’s growing "survivable air power" near the eastern borders.
A Dual-Use Strategic Asset
The Moran ELF, situated on National Highway-127, is not just a road but a high-tech runway designed to support the take-off and landing of military and civilian aircraft during crises.
-
Strategic Location: Located just a few hundred kilometers from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, the facility strengthens India’s rapid response capabilities in the sensitive Northeast region.
-
Capacity: The reinforced concrete stretch is engineered to handle fighter jets weighing up to 40 tonnes and massive transport planes (like the C-17 Globemaster) up to 74 tonnes.
-
Dual Purpose: On a normal day, the stretch functions as a standard four-lane highway for public vehicles. In times of war, natural disasters, or medical emergencies, it can be converted into a fully operational military base within minutes.
The Mega IAF Air Show
To celebrate the activation, the IAF staged a 40-minute aerial display. Residents of Dibrugarh and Moran witnessed the roar of 16 aircraft, including:
-
Rafale & Sukhoi-30 MKI: Frontline fighters performing "touch-and-go" maneuvers.
-
C-130J Super Hercules: Demonstrating the ability to land heavy cargo on a highway.
-
ALH Dhruv & Chinooks: Showcasing vertical lift capabilities for rescue operations.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the event as a "new chapter of connectivity and strategic strength," emphasizing that this facility ensures the IAF can operate whenever and wherever needed.
Beyond Defense: A ₹5,450 Crore Development Boost
The ELF inauguration was the first stop in the Prime Minister's day-long visit to the state. Following the air show, PM Modi traveled to Guwahati to launch several other transformative projects:
-
Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu: A ₹3,030 crore, 6-lane bridge over the Brahmaputra connecting Guwahati and North Guwahati—the first "extradosed" bridge in the region.
-
Digital & Education: Inauguration of the National Data Centre for the North Eastern Region at Amingaon and the temporary campus of IIM Guwahati.
-
Green Mobility: Flagging off 100 electric buses under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme to modernize Guwahati's public transport.
