NewKerala.com

PM Modi to Inaugurate Assam Highway Airstrip, Boosting NE Combat Readiness

The Indian Air Force is set to operationalise a first-of-its-kind emergency landing facility on a national highway in Assam's Dibrugarh district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate the 4.2-km airstrip on February 14 by landing on it in an IAF C-130J aircraft. The facility, strategically located near the Line of Actual Control, has already seen successful trial landings by fighter jets including Rafales and Sukhois. This is part of a broader national effort, with 28 such emergency landing strips being developed on highways across India to bolster combat preparedness.

Key Points: PM Modi to Land on Assam Highway Airstrip, First in Northeast

  • First NE highway airstrip
  • IAF operational flexibility near LAC
  • Rafales, Sukhois trial landings
  • Part of 28 national ELF network
  • PM's personal C-130J landing
2 min read

In a first, North-East highway turns into runway; PM Modi set to land at airstrip on Feb 14

PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate an emergency landing facility on an Assam highway, enhancing IAF's operational flexibility near the LAC.

"The Prime Minister will himself land on this emergency airstrip on Saturday, in an Air Force C-130J Super Hercules. - Officials"

New Delhi, Feb 12

Marking a first in bolstering the combat preparedness in the North-East, the Indian Air Force is set to operationalise new emergency landing facility on a four-lane highway in Moran in Assam's Dibrugarh on Saturday, officials said on Thursday.

The 4.2-km stretch of the National Highway has been developed as the emergency landing facility and is situated close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), giving the IAF strategic leverage and flexibility to augment its operations in times of any exigency.

The runway will be inaugurated on Saturday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally opening the first emergency landing facility in the North-East, for landing of IAF jets, including Rafales and Sukhois.

According to officials privy to information, the Prime Minister will himself land on this emergency airstrip on Saturday, in an Air Force C-130J Super Hercules.

On Thursday, the IAF fighter jets also conducted a trial landing at the highway airstrip, which saw a range of fighter jets landing on NH-2.

An Air Force Dornier aircraft, Sukhoi and Rafale, took off from the airstrip.

Three Sukhois first flew past the stage, then touched the runway one by one.

Three Rafales then performed a similar formation drill.

IAF's transport aircraft AN-32, also performed a touch-and-go drill.

Notably, the Air Force has been intensifying its combat preparedness and augmenting its capability, in light of possibility of a two-front war.

The construction of emergency landing facilities on highways in various parts of the country has been accelerated in this regard.

The Emergency Landing Facilities, or landing strips are being developed across the length and breadth of country.

As of now, 28 such Emergency Landing Facilities have been prepared. They include five in Assam, four in West Bengal, three each in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat, two each in Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, and Haryana, and one each in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

These Emergency Landing Facilities are being built on national highways. Many of these 28 Emergency Landing Facilities have been completed and officially inaugurated. Along with national highways, state governments are also constructing them on state highways.

In 2021, November 16 saw a momentous occasion as Prime Minister Narendra Modi threw open the airstrip on Purvanchal Expressway by landing on it.

During the inauguration of airstrip built on the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi personally landed there in a C-130J Super Hercules.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the strategic importance is clear, I hope the local communities in Dibrugarh were properly consulted. Infrastructure development is good, but it shouldn't disrupt daily life for residents.
R
Rohit P
Saw the video of the Rafale landing trial on the news! It was incredible. Our Air Force is truly world-class. This dual-use infrastructure is smart planning.
S
Sarah B
Interesting development. 28 such facilities across the country is a significant number. It seems like a practical solution to enhance operational flexibility. The North-East definitely needs more such strategic assets.
V
Vikram M
Good move for defence, but what about the cost and maintenance? Hope the highway's primary function for public transport isn't compromised during emergencies or drills. The balance is key.
K
Karthik V
Connecting infrastructure with security is the need of the hour. This sends a strong message. Proud of the progress in the North-East region. More development please!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50