Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday made history by landing on Assam’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF), a specially developed stretch of national highway in the Moran area of Dibrugarh district. The Prime Minister arrived aboard an Indian Air Force C-130J transport aircraft, marking the first time a sitting Prime Minister has landed on a highway airstrip in the northeastern region.
The 4.2-kilometre emergency landing highway has been designed as a dual-use infrastructure facility, capable of functioning both as a road for civilian traffic and as an alternative runway during emergencies. Built with reinforced concrete and advanced navigational support, the strip can accommodate fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters, significantly strengthening India’s defence preparedness and disaster-response capabilities in the Northeast.
After the landing, the Prime Minister witnessed an aerial display by Indian Air Force aircraft, showcasing the operational readiness of the facility. Senior defence and civil administration officials were present during the demonstration, which highlighted the strategic importance of the emergency landing highway, particularly in a region prone to natural disasters and of key geopolitical significance.
Officials said the facility will serve as a critical backup runway during natural calamities, military contingencies and rescue operations, enabling faster deployment of resources when conventional airstrips are unavailable. The project is part of the Centre’s broader push to enhance strategic infrastructure and connectivity across the northeastern states.
The Prime Minister is on a day-long visit to Assam, during which he is also scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for multiple development projects related to transport, connectivity and public infrastructure, underlining the government’s focus on accelerating growth and security in the region.
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