Assam is preparing to implement its first highway-based emergency landing strip, as announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. This facility, located along the Dibrugarh–Moran section of the National Highway, is set for inauguration in February and may attract a high-profile launch involving the Prime Minister or Defence Minister. The 4.2-km strip is engineered to support landings for both civilian aircraft and Indian Air Force fighter jets, including advanced models like Sukhoi and Rafale. Chief Minister Sarma emphasized its significance as an alternative landing site if Dibrugarh airport becomes unusable.
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) is overseeing the project’s implementation, which marks a pioneering venture for the Northeast region. Additionally, the Central Government has approved two other highway-based emergency landing strips in Assam: one along the Boroma–Tihu stretch in Lower Assam and another segment situated between Nagaon and Lumding at Sankardevnagar.
Once activated, this infrastructure is expected to provide enhanced strategic flexibility for the Armed Forces along the sensitive Northeast borders and aid in civil aviation responses during emergencies. Furthermore, Chief Minister Sarma outlined plans to establish helipads at regular intervals along major highways, particularly in flood-prone highland regions. His goal is to install helipads every 50-100 km, thus converting the Numaligarh–Dibrugarh–Tinsukia corridor into a modern, resilient transport and emergency-response network.
