STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, Feb 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Moran bypass in Dibrugarh district of Assam on February 14, marking the first such facility in the Northeast region.
According to the Defence Ministry, the ELF has been developed on a designated stretch of the national highway and will function as an alternative runway during contingencies.
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The facility is capable of handling emergency landing and take-off operations of Indian Air Force fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters.
It is also expected to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations in remote areas.
The ministry described the inauguration as a historic event for Assam, noting that the facility significantly enhances strategic preparedness in the eastern sector.
The programme will be attended by the Governor and Chief Minister of Assam, along with senior civil and military officials.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the ELF at Moran symbolises a major transformation in Upper Assam’s infrastructure landscape.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Sarma said that roads in the region once remained submerged during the monsoon, but now the same land is capable of facilitating the landing of fighter aircraft.
He said the project reflects rapid progress in infrastructure development and strengthens India’s air defence capabilities, particularly given Assam’s proximity to international borders.
The chief minister added that the Prime Minister’s visit underscores the Centre’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and national security in the Northeast.
Officials said the Moran ELF is part of a broader strategy to integrate civilian infrastructure with defence preparedness.
The facility can be quickly converted for military use in emergencies and will also aid in faster logistics during natural disasters.
Preparations and security arrangements are underway in Dibrugarh and Moran ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit.
The Assam government said the project highlights the transformative impact of sustained investment in infrastructure and reinforces the region’s strategic importance.
