Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft made a historic landing on the Northeast’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on a national highway in Assam on Saturday, marking a key step in the region’s strategic and infrastructure development.
PM Modi’s aircraft touched down at the specially constructed emergency landing stretch on the Moran Bypass in Assam’s Dibrugarh district.
The 4.2-kilometre facility, built at a cost of Rs 100 crore, is designed to allow Indian Air Force fighter jets and transport aircraft to land and take off during emergencies, making it the first such installation in the Northeast.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister arrived at the Chabua airfield, where he was received by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and other senior state officials.
From Chabua, PM Modi boarded an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft to travel to the Emergency Landing Facility.
Officials said the dual-use infrastructure is capable of handling fighter aircraft weighing up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of up to 74 tonnes.
Following the landing, the Prime Minister witnessed a 20-minute aerial display featuring fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters, showcasing the operational capabilities of the facility.
PM Modi is later set to fly to Guwahati, where he will inaugurate the Rs 3,000-crore Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu over the Brahmaputra river.
The 1.24-kilometre bridge will connect Guwahati with North Guwahati and is expected to ease traffic congestion and improve regional connectivity. Officials said the project was executed under challenging riverine conditions.
After completing the inaugurations, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to address Bharatiya Janata Party workers as part of his Assam visit.
