PM touches down on NE’s first emergency landing facility in Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh: In a groundbreaking moment for Assam’s infrastructure and defense capabilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday became the first PM to land on the northeast’s first emergency landing facility (ELF) at Moran in Dibrugarh district.This 4.2-km stretch on the Moran Bypass, built at a cost of Rs 100 crore, will double as a national highway and a vital airstrip for Indian Air Force (IAF) operations during emergencies.PM Modi flew in from Chabua airfield aboard an IAF C-130J aircraft, touching down smoothly on the specially reinforced runway. Developed for dual civil-military use, the ELF will serve as a robust backup to Dibrugarh airport during crises like natural disasters or conflicts.

It can accommodate fighter jets weighing up to 40 tonnes and heavy transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes maximum take-off weight, bolstering defence logistics, rapid deployment, and humanitarian aid in this strategically sensitive border area.The PM’s visit kicked off with a spectacular 40-minute aerial extravaganza by the IAF, highlighting the facility’s operational prowess. Fighter jets like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Rafale thundered in for take offs and landings, demonstrating seamless highway-to-airfield transitions.

The An-32, the IAF’s reliable ‘workhorse’ for cargo and troop transport, joined the fray, showcasing its versatility in rugged terrains.Adding to the high-octane display, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) executed heli-borne manoeuvres, including simulation of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. These agile machines excel in search-and-rescue missions, medical evacuations, surveillance, and precision airdrops of supplies to remote, flood-prone northeastern regions.The elite Garud Commandos, the Air Force’s crack special forces, rappelled in with lethal precision during the demonstration, highlighting their role in counter-terrorism and high-risk extractions.Earlier, at Chabua airfield, PM Modi received a warm welcome from Assam governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and top state officials.