Dibrugarh: In a historic moment, an Indian Air Force transport aircraft, on a trial run, successfully made a landing on a highway at Moran in eastern Assam, marking a major boost to India’s emergency preparedness and strategic mobility.
The four-lane highway Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) at Moran in Dibrugarh district is expected to significantly enhance the region’s strategic mobility during any eventualities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ELF on February 14 by directly landing on the highway.
A specially designed emergency landing strip for Indian Air Force aircraft has been constructed along a 4.2-kilometre stretch of the four-lane highway in Dibrugarh district, marking a significant boost to the region’s strategic and aviation infrastructure.
This first-of-its-kind event in Assam will feature advanced fighter aircraft such as the Rafale and Su-30 MKI, along with transport aircraft including the C-130J Super Hercules and An-32, as well as the versatile Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
The facility, built to enable emergency landing and operations of Air Force aircraft, is scheduled to be formally inaugurated on February 14 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Security has been tightened ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to Moran to inaugurate the four-lane highway.
An inspection of the newly constructed stretch was carried out on Tuesday to review preparedness ahead of the inauguration.
The inspection was conducted by Rituparna Baruah, Chairman of the Assam Tourism Development Corporation, in the presence of Ujjwal Phukan, Deputy Mayor of Dibrugarh, and Asim Hazarika, Chairman of the Dibrugarh Development Authority.
Officials stated that the project enhances the operational readiness and emergency response capabilities of the Indian Air Force in Upper Assam, while also reflecting the Centre’s focus on integrating civilian infrastructure with national security requirements.
The emergency landing strip is expected to play a crucial role during natural disasters, defence emergencies, and strategic operations, further strengthening Dibrugarh’s importance on the national map.
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