Dibrugarg/New Delhi, 14 February (H.S.): A 4.2-kilometer stretch of the national highway in Assam, convertible into a military airstrip during wartime or disasters, was officially operationalized on Saturday, marking the Northeast's inaugural Emergency Landing Facility (ELF).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated this facility on the Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh district, a strategically vital corridor proximate to India's eastern borders.Officials reported that the Prime Minister landed at Chabua Air Force Station from New Delhi that morning, then boarded an aircraft to descend upon the Moran ELF, where a grand air show unfolded—featuring approximately 16 Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft taking off and landing within about 30 minutes, including Sukhoi MKI-30, Rafale fighters, helicopters, and transport planes.

Chabua stands among the Northeast's key Air Force stations, and this novel highway airstrip now embeds operational flexibility into the region's defense infrastructure. Subsequently, Prime Minister Modi departed for Guwahati via the Indian Air Force's C-130J Hercules transport aircraft from the Moran national highway.

Strategic Edge in Wartime Scenarios

The Moran ELF holds immense strategic value, situated roughly 300 kilometers from the China border and 200 kilometers from the Myanmar frontier. Defense officials emphasized that should conventional airbases falter amid conflict, this facility would function as a secondary runway.

One official remarked, In emergencies or wartime conditions, this 4.2-km ELF will play a pivotal role, augmenting rapid deployment capabilities in the Northeast due to its proximity to international borders.

Specially fortified, the stretch accommodates fighter aircraft, transport planes, and helicopters during defense exigencies.

Vital Lifeline During Natural Calamities

Beyond military applications, the ELF promises crucial utility in natural disasters—especially recurrent floods plaguing Assam. It will expedite airlifting relief supplies during major floods, earthquakes, or infrastructure damage, serving as an auxiliary landing site if airports become inoperable.Helicopter-based rescue missions will benefit immensely, with officials underscoring its dual-use prowess in fortifying national security and disaster response across the region.

Trial runs had commenced in the area since Wednesday, drawing massive crowds to witness fighter aircraft landings on the highway; all major combat jets executed successful operations, bolstered by comprehensive district administration arrangements.

Local residents expressed profound pride, deeming it a historic milestone: We never imagined fighter jets landing on our highway; the four-lane development has revolutionized connectivity and now fills us with pride.

With this inauguration, Assam joins an elite cadre of states equipped with highway airstrips for defense operations, positioning the Northeast robustly against warfare, national emergencies, and natural calamities.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar