A high-priority Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) being built in Assam’s Dibrugarh district is nearing completion and is expected to become operational by October this year, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced following a review visit.
Situated at Jatiyani village near Moran, the facility is set to be the first of its kind in the Northeast, constructed as a joint initiative of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
The 4.2-kilometre stretch, which forms part of an 11-kilometre four-lane highway between Polo Club in Khatkhati and Tiloijan, is being developed at a cost of ₹99.86 crore. Officials briefed the Chief Minister that nearly 99 per cent of the work had been completed and the site would be technically ready by 31 July.
Once functional, the ELF will provide a crucial dual-use airstrip capable of handling both military and civilian aircraft during emergencies. It will be designed to accommodate advanced fighter jets such as the Sukhoi-30, Tejas, and Rafale, along with transport aircraft like the Hercules and Antonov AN-32.
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During an emergency, the highway will be temporarily shut to vehicular movement, allowing for aircraft landing and take-off. “The ELF will be a game-changer during emergencies. Not only will military aircraft benefit, but civilian flights in distress can also land here,” Mr Sarma said, adding, “If any civilian aircraft faces a problem while landing at Dibrugarh Airport, it can land on the ELF.”
The Chief Minister highlighted the strategic and humanitarian relevance of the project, highlighting its potential role in disaster response—particularly in flood-prone Assam. “The ELF would also enhance disaster response capabilities, particularly during Assam’s frequent floods,” he said.
A commemorative air show is being planned to mark the activation of the airstrip later this year. “An air show will be organised during the activation of the ELF. I believe that the ELF will be ready for activation from Oct,” Mr Sarma noted.
The Moran ELF is part of a broader national strategy to strengthen India’s security and disaster preparedness by establishing such facilities every 50 to 100 kilometres across key routes. Additional ELFs have already been sanctioned in other parts of Assam, including the Barama-Tihu stretch in Lower Assam and the Hojai-Lanka-Lumding belt in Central Assam.
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