As a notable development in the defence sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived this morning at the Northeast’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF), constructed on a National Highway at the Moran bypass in Upper Assam. This event is historic as it marks the first occasion in India where a Prime Minister’s aircraft has successfully landed on a national highway, specifically the Indian Air Force’s C-130J Hercules transport aircraft. Following the Prime Minister’s landing, fighter jets including the Sukhoi-30MKI and Rafale conducted flight demonstrations along the Moran highway. The event also featured participation from various other aircraft, including transport planes and helicopters of the Indian Air Force.
The National Highway 127, which serves as the stretch for this ELF, is engineered to support fighter aircraft weighing up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes. This facility holds strategic importance, as it is intended to be utilized during emergencies and military operations. During his visit, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh. The visit included tactical demonstrations, notably showcasing helicopter evacuation procedures for injured personnel in emergency situations.
Air Force officials provided a comprehensive briefing to Prime Minister Modi through an audio-visual presentation, detailing the operational use and strategic relevance of the Emergency Landing Facility. After completing the demonstrations and discussions, the Prime Minister departed for Guwahati utilizing a US-manufactured C-130J Hercules aircraft directly from the highway.
