PM Modi Inaugurates Northeast’s First Highway Emergency Landing Facility in Assam

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India’s first highway-based emergency landing facility in the Northeast has been inaugurated at Moran, Assam
IAF fighter jets including Rafale and Sukhoi-30 MKI successfully landed on the highway strip
PM Modi’s Assam visit also includes major infrastructure and education inaugurations

Guwahati: The Northeast emergency landing facility entered India’s defence landscape on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the region’s first highway-based Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) at Moran in Assam’s Dibrugarh district. The project marks a significant upgrade in India’s military preparedness, allowing combat and transport aircraft to operate from highways during emergencies or conflict situations.

Northeast emergency landing facility boosts IAF operational readiness

The Moran ELF is designed to substantially enhance the Indian Air Force’s flexibility, especially in the strategically sensitive Northeast corridor. By enabling aircraft to land and take off from highways, the facility strengthens contingency planning during natural disasters, security crises, or wartime disruptions to conventional airbases.

Arriving at the newly developed strip aboard an Indian Air Force C-130J Hercules, the Prime Minister witnessed firsthand the operational capabilities of the emergency runway. Officials said such infrastructure is critical for rapid deployment, logistics support, and sustained air operations in border regions.

Ceremonial welcome and high-level presence at Moran

The Prime Minister was received by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and other senior leaders. In a traditional gesture, CM Sarma presented Modi with an Assamese gamocha and japi, underscoring the cultural significance of the occasion.

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh felicitated the Prime Minister with a commemorative memento, symbolizing the close coordination between the government and the armed forces in advancing defence infrastructure.

Fighter jet fly-past showcases air power on highways

The inauguration ceremony was marked by an impressive fly-past by frontline IAF platforms, including Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets, Rafale aircraft, and the indigenously developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). In a rare display, both the Sukhoi-30 MKI and Rafale jets successfully landed on the highway-based strip, drawing loud applause from the gathered audience.

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Defence officials noted that such demonstrations validate the operational viability of highway runways and reflect India’s growing emphasis on multi-use infrastructure that blends civilian development with strategic defence needs.

PM Modi’s Assam visit packed with development agenda

After inaugurating the Moran facility, Prime Minister Modi departed for Guwahati, where he is scheduled to unveil a new bridge over the Brahmaputra River linking Guwahati and North Guwahati. He will also inaugurate Assam’s first Indian Institute of Management (IIM) campus and a National Data Centre, reinforcing the state’s push toward education and digital infrastructure.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister is expected to address a large gathering of BJP booth-level karyakartas at the Veterinary College ground in Khanapara, highlighting the political significance of the visit alongside its strategic and developmental milestones.

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