In a major boost to India’s strategic depth along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to create history on February 14 by landing on the Northeast’s first highway-based Emergency Landing Facility (ELF).
The 4.2-km reinforced concrete strip, located on the Dibrugarh-Moran stretch of NH-127, marks a significant milestone in India’s defense preparedness near the borders of China and Myanmar.
Instead of the conventional Dibrugarh Airport, the Prime Minister’s military aircraft will touch down directly on the national highway. This high-octane event will be followed by a 40-minute aerial demonstration featuring the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) frontline Rafale and Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets.
Strategic Fortress: Why the Moran ELF Matters
The new airstrip is designed as a dual-use facility, capable of handling both heavy military transporters and civilian aircraft during emergencies. Its location is critical for several reasons:
- Proximity to LAC: Situated just a few hundred kilometers from the China border, it provides a “Plan B” if the Dibrugarh or Chabua airbases are compromised.
- Engineering Marvel: Built without central dividers and protected by high-security fencing, the 30-meter-wide road is designed to withstand the impact of high-speed fighter landings.
- Disaster Response: The strip will serve as a vital lifeline for medical evacuations and relief during Assam’s frequent monsoon floods.
A Day of “Vikas” for Guwahati
Before heading to the Moran landing, the Prime Minister will be in Guwahati to launch a series of transformative infrastructure and education projects:
- Kumar Bhaskar Varma Bridge: Inauguration of the ₹3,000-crore, six-lane bridge connecting Guwahati to North Guwahati, a long-awaited solution to city traffic.
- IIM Guwahati: Opening of the temporary campus at Palasbari, marking a new chapter for premier management education in the region.
- Green Mobility: Flagging off 100 electric buses to modernize Guwahati’s public transport fleet under the PM e-Sewa Yojana.
Security Measures in Force
To ensure a flawless execution, the Dibrugarh administration has restricted public entry to the ELF area since February 6. Temporary roadside structures have been dismantled, and the IAF is scheduled to begin trial runs from February 8. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the visit as “organizational and developmental,” noting it as the PM’s third visit to the state in just three months.