Dibrugarh, Assam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated a newly constructed Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on a stretch of National Highway in Assam, marking the operationalisation of Northeast India’s first highway that doubles as a runway for aircraft. Besides having military significance, it will also be valuable during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
It can serve as an alternative airfield for military and civilian aircraft, especially during emergencies or contingencies when regular runways may be unavailable.
According to reports, the highway is less than 300 kilometres from the Line of Actual Control with China. It is potential runway for fighter jets, reported Hindustan Times.
Strategic Significance Near Sensitive Frontier
The facility enhances India’s military infrastructure in a sensitive border region. Unlike traditional fixed airbases, highway-based runways offer operational flexibility and redundancy — enabling fighter jets and transport aircraft to land or take off even if a conventional base is compromised.
This ELF is also notable as the first of its kind in the Northeast, expanding India’s network of highway airstrips, which until now were concentrated in the western, northern and central parts of the country.
Constructed in coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF), the dual-use strip can handle fighter aircraft of up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft with take-off weights of up to 74 tonnes. A video from the event shows an Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI taking off from the ELF on the Moran Bypass.
Prime Minister’s Landing and Programme
To mark the inauguration, PM Modi’s aircraft landed and later took off from the highway-cum-runway itself, rather than using the nearby Chabua Air Force Station runway. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed the event historic.
The Prime Minister’s flight departed New Delhi early Saturday, reached the region by mid-morning, and included an aerial display involving fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters. Modi then departed for Guwahati aboard a C-130 aircraft directly from the highway airstrip.
Beyond Defence: Disaster Response and Relief
Officials highlighted that the highway runway will also be valuable during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. Assam and the broader Northeast are prone to floods, landslides and other natural disasters; having this alternate airfield could expedite the movement of rescue teams, relief supplies and evacuation flights during crises.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia described the blending of highway and runway infrastructure as a symbol of India’s strategic resolve.
