The Northeast’s first emergency landing facility (ELF) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Moran in Assam’s Dibrugarh district on Saturday, with senior officers of the Indian Air Force asserting that the project will significantly bolster defence preparedness, logistics capability and disaster response in the region.
Built at a cost of Rs 100 crore, the facility will function as a strategic, multi-functional runway capable of supporting operations of the Indian Air Force (IAF), including fighter jets and transport aircraft. It has been designed for dual use, both civil and military, and will serve as an alternative to the Dibrugarh airport during emergencies.
Officials said the ELF has been specially designed and constructed in coordination with the IAF to facilitate safe landing and take-off of both military and civil aircraft. The infrastructure is expected to enhance operational flexibility in the strategically sensitive Northeast.
Envisioned as dual-use infrastructure, the facility can handle fighter aircraft weighing up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of up to 74 tonnes. It is also expected to serve as a critical asset during natural disasters, enabling swift deployment of rescue teams, relief materials and essential supplies to affected areas.
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The runway is part of a stretch of National Highway-37 and has been reinforced to meet aviation standards. The concept of emergency landing facilities on highways is aimed at ensuring that aircraft can operate even if conventional airbases are compromised or unavailable.
India’s first such facility was inaugurated in 2021 in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, marking the beginning of a broader strategy to integrate aviation capabilities with highway infrastructure.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister arrived at Chabua before boarding a C-130J aircraft, which landed at the newly built ELF. He formally inaugurated the facility and was scheduled to witness a 40-minute air show featuring Tejas, Sukhoi, Rafale and other fighter aircraft, showcasing the operational capability of the IAF.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier reviewed the designated stretch of the highway and interacted with IAF personnel during a preparatory visit on Thursday. He had said that all arrangements had been completed for the historic landing and take-off demonstration.
The IAF had also conducted a full-scale rehearsal of the air show on Thursday to ensure operational readiness and coordination.
With its strategic location and dual-use design, the Moran ELF is expected to play a key role in strengthening air mobility and rapid response capacity across the Northeast, a region often prone to floods and other natural calamities, while also enhancing national security infrastructure.
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