Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down on history Saturday, inaugurating Northeast India’s pioneering Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) at Moran in Assam’s Dibrugarh district. Built on a national highway stretch, this 4.2 km fortified concrete runway is set to revolutionize air operations in one of India’s most sensitive border zones.
The PM’s arrival via an IAF plane that utilized the very strip it was meant to inaugurate set the tone for the day’s spectacles. Greeted by top state and central leaders including CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Modi then marveled at an electrifying air display. Rafale, Sukhoi, and MiG jets thundered across the sky, performing precision maneuvers that captivated a crowd exceeding 100,000.
A detailed presentation by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh illuminated the ELF’s specs: engineered to accommodate combat jets weighing up to 40 tons and hefty transport aircraft up to 74 tons at takeoff. The absence of a central divider ensures hassle-free landings and departures, a design ingenuity tailored for high-stakes emergencies.
Nestled close to the India-China frontier, Moran ELF emerges as a game-changer for IAF flexibility. In recent years, escalating tensions in the area have underscored the need for such agile infrastructure. This facility empowers quicker mobilizations, bolstering surveillance and deterrence postures without reliance on conventional airfields.
Government sources emphasize the ELF’s dual-use potential for military and civilian aircraft, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to national security. As upper Assam gears up with this strategic asset, it signals India’s broader push to strengthen Northeast defenses. The event, alive with cheers and jet roars, symbolizes not just technological triumph but a resolute vision for regional stability and progress.