Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma conducted an inspection on Thursday of the preparations for an emergency landing facility (ELF) located on the Dibrugarh–Moran national highway. This facility is slated to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14 during a significant Indian Air Force (IAF) exercise. The Chief Minister surveyed a 4.2-km stretch of the highway, where officials updated him on construction progress and logistical arrangements essential for the upcoming demonstration.
Upon arrival in Assam, Prime Minister Modi will land at the Chabua Air Force base before boarding a C-130 transport aircraft, which will facilitate a direct landing on the highway airstrip in Moran. The exercise is expected to feature around 16 IAF aircraft, including Rafale and Sukhoi jets, showcasing the capabilities of the Indian Air Force. Additionally, various other fighter jets are anticipated to land at the facility, marking this event as the first extensive exercise conducted on an ELF.
Sarma mentioned that students from local schools, colleges, and universities across the Dibrugarh and Charaideo districts have been invited to observe this “rare spectacle,” with the intention of inspiring the youth to consider future careers in the Air Force. Notably, it was emphasized that the event at Moran would solely consist of an aircraft landing demonstration, without any accompanying public meetings or speeches from officials.
The ELF is constructed under the Dibrugarh–Moran National Highway project, in partnership with the IAF, aimed at enhancing the strategic infrastructure of the region. Besides providing a landing option during wartime scenarios, the facility also holds potential for accommodating helicopters transporting relief supplies during floods or other natural disasters.
