DIBRUGARH: In a significant move to bolster India’s aerial defense capabilities near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Northeast’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on a stretch of National Highway 127 in Assam.
The 4.2-kilometer reinforced concrete stretch, located on the Dibrugarh-Moran bypass, has been engineered to double as a fully functional runway for fighter jets and heavy transport aircraft. The facility is situated less than 300 kilometers from the sensitive frontier with China, providing the Indian Air Force (IAF) with a critical alternative to traditional airbases like Chabua or Mohanbari in the event of wartime contingencies or natural disasters.
A Historic Touchdown
Marking the occasion, the Prime Minister’s aircraft, an IAF C-130J Super Hercules, made a historic landing directly on the highway. Following the landing, PM Modi witnessed a 40-minute aerial display featuring India’s frontline fighters, including Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, and Tejas jets. Many of these aircraft performed “touch-and-go” maneuvers and full landings on the four-lane highway to demonstrate operational readiness.
“The Dibrugarh-Moran stretch can transform from a seamless road into a launchpad for India’s frontline jets,” stated Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, highlighting the “strategic resolve” behind the project.
Technical and Strategic Depth
Built at an estimated cost of ₹100 crore, the ELF is designed to handle aircraft weighing up to 74 tonnes. Key features of the strip include:
- Reinforced Pavement: Specially treated concrete to withstand the high-impact force of fighter jet landings.
- Dual-Use Design: No central dividers or permanent roadside obstacles to allow for immediate conversion to a runway.
- Strategic Proximity: Positioned to provide rapid deployment capabilities toward both the LAC and the Myanmar border.
Beyond defense, the ELF will serve as a vital hub for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), enabling swift rescue operations in the flood-prone Northeast. This project is part of a broader national plan to develop 28 such emergency strips across India, integrating civilian infrastructure with national security needs.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates
Click Here for Chhattisgarh News
Click Here for Entertainment News