PM Modi Inaugurates Northeast's First Emergency Landing Facility in Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aboard an Indian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, landed on a national highway at Moran in Assam's Dibrugarh district on Saturday morning. This event marked the inauguration of the northeast's first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF), a significant development in India's infrastructure and defense strategy.
Strategic Significance of the Moran ELF
The Moran ELF is positioned as a frontline asset, located barely 300 kilometers from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), this facility "will serve as a critical asset for strategic requirements and emergency response during natural disasters." The PMO emphasized that the ELF has been specially designed and constructed in coordination with the Indian Air Force to support the landing and take-off of military and civil aircraft during emergencies.
This 4.2-kilometer stretch dual-use ELF is capable of handling fighter aircraft with up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft with up to 74 tonnes of maximum take-off weight. The inauguration symbolizes a moment when India's highways transform into runways, representing strength, speed, and sovereignty, ready to project power in critical situations.
Comparative Analysis with Chinese Infrastructure
Across the border, China has already tested fighter landings on Tibet's Lhasa–Nyingchi highway and operates dual-use airports like Nyingchi, just 50 kilometers from the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh. Former military intelligence officer, Brigadier Ranjit Borthakur (retired), highlighted that China has at least five operational airports in Tibet across the LAC. However, he noted that the Indian Air Force holds a strategic advantage.
"As far as the IAF is concerned, we are in a stronger position. The Chinese airfields are located at higher altitudes, which limits payload capacity. By contrast, we enjoy the advantage of operating with higher payloads," Brigadier Borthakur explained. He added that over the last five to seven years, the IAF has significantly upgraded its infrastructure in the eastern sector, providing a distinct edge. "If our airfields nearby are damaged, this ELF is immediately available for all types of aircraft. The ELF provides us with an additional operational option," he stated.
Enhanced Aviation Grid in Upper Assam
The Moran ELF complements nearby Sukhoi bases at Chabua and Tezpur, a logistic base at Jorhat, and the CH-47 Chinook helicopter base at Dinjan. This integration creates a layered aviation grid across upper Assam, bolstering India's defense and emergency response capabilities in the region.
Broader National Infrastructure Plan
According to a reply by Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in the Rajya Sabha in 2022, the Indian Air Force has identified 28 Emergency Landing Facilities across the country. Assam leads with the maximum of five ELFs. Minister Gadkari stated, "These ELFs are capable of operations by Military Aircraft and can also be used for a similar class of civilian aircraft if required." This initiative underscores India's commitment to enhancing dual-use infrastructure for both strategic and civilian purposes.
The inauguration of the Moran ELF not only marks a milestone in India's infrastructure development but also reinforces the nation's preparedness in border regions. It showcases a proactive approach to leveraging highways for emergency and strategic needs, aligning with broader national security and disaster management goals.
