Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that the Dibrugarh-Moran stretch of the National Highway has been upgraded to serve as an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) for both civilian vehicles and military aircraft. This facility is capable of accommodating frontline fighter jets and transport planes of the Indian Air Force during critical situations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate this Emergency Landing Facility on February 14, emphasizing its significance for national security and disaster response.
The Dibrugarh-Moran section of the National Highway has been specifically designed to meet the technical and safety requirements essential for military aircraft operations. It features reinforced pavement, appropriate runway markings, and necessary infrastructure to support emergency landings and take-offs. This strategic infrastructure is crucial for allowing fighter jets and transport aircraft to operate during emergencies, natural disasters, or heightened security scenarios, particularly in the strategically vital northeastern region.
The activation of this Emergency Landing Facility is considered a significant enhancement to India’s defense preparedness in the Northeast, given the region’s multiple international borders. Analysts in the defense sector highlight that such highway-based landing facilities provide increased operational flexibility to the armed forces, enabling swift deployment and logistical assistance without solely relying on traditional airbases.
The development of the Dibrugarh-Moran stretch as an emergency landing strip is part of a broader national strategy to integrate civil infrastructure with defense needs. This initiative aligns with similar projects in other parts of India where highway-based landing strips have been successfully tested for fighter jet operations. Assam Chief Minister Sarma commended the collaborative efforts between the Union government, the Indian Air Force, and state authorities for the timely execution of this crucial project.
The formal activation ceremony of the Emergency Landing Facility on February 14 will showcase the facility’s operational readiness, with the participation of senior defense and civil officials. This milestone project, as termed by the state government, signifies a significant step that combines infrastructure development with national security imperatives. Chief Minister Sarma emphasized that such initiatives underscore Assam’s increasing role in India’s strategic and defense framework, while also contributing to enhanced connectivity and regional development.
