PM Modi to Inaugurate Northeast’s First Highway Airstrip in Assam, Strengthening Strategic and Emergency Preparedness

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make history on February 14 by landing on a national highway in Assam, inaugurating the Northeast’s first highway-based Emergency Landing Facility (ELF). The airstrip has been developed on a 4.2-kilometre stretch of the Dibrugarh–Moran section of National Highway-127 and is designed to allow military and emergency aircraft to land and operate directly from a highway. This marks a major milestone in India’s efforts to integrate civilian infrastructure with defence and disaster-response capabilities.

The Prime Minister will first arrive at the Chabua Air Force Station before proceeding to Moran, where his aircraft will land on the highway airstrip. The event is being seen as a rare and symbolic demonstration of India’s growing operational flexibility and infrastructure readiness.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses members of the Indian diaspora during a community event, in Malaysia. (File photo) (PTI) | Hindustan Times

IAF Trials and High-Profile Air Demonstration

Ahead of the inauguration, the Indian Air Force has carried out multiple successful trial runs at the Moran facility. These trials included touch-and-go landings and full operations by frontline fighter aircraft and transport planes. Rafale and Sukhoi fighter jets, along with heavy transport aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster and C-130J Hercules, have validated the highway runway’s operational standards.

During the inauguration, a large-scale airshow is expected, with around 16 IAF aircraft participating in landings and fly-pasts. The exercise is intended to demonstrate the Air Force’s ability to operate from dispersed and unconventional locations, a capability that is increasingly important in modern warfare and emergency scenarios.

Strategic Importance for Northeast and Border Security

The Moran Emergency Landing Facility holds major strategic significance due to its location in Upper Assam, close to sensitive international borders. The region lies within operational reach of the Line of Actual Control with China and the India–Myanmar border. Defence analysts have noted that such highway airstrips enhance India’s ability to rapidly deploy air power, improve survivability of assets, and maintain operational continuity even if traditional air bases are compromised.

The project reflects a broader national strategy to develop alternate airfields and emergency runways across key highway corridors, strengthening India’s defence logistics and response flexibility, particularly in border and remote regions.

Boost to Disaster Response and Civilian Resilience

Beyond military use, the highway airstrip is designed to play a critical role in disaster management. Assam is highly vulnerable to floods and extreme weather events, which often disrupt road and air connectivity. The facility will enable rapid deployment of relief aircraft, helicopters, medical teams, and essential supplies when conventional airports become inaccessible.

State officials have indicated that similar Emergency Landing Facilities are planned across Assam and other parts of the Northeast. This network of alternate runways is expected to significantly improve emergency preparedness, evacuation capabilities, and humanitarian response during natural calamities.

Wider Infrastructure Push During PM’s Assam Visit

The Prime Minister’s visit to Assam will also include the inauguration of several major infrastructure and development projects in Guwahati. These include a new bridge over the Brahmaputra River, the temporary campus of IIM Guwahati, an AI-enabled hyperscale data centre, and the flagging off of electric buses for urban transport. These initiatives highlight the government’s broader push to strengthen connectivity, education, digital infrastructure, and sustainable mobility in the state.

The MGMM Outlook

India’s inauguration of the Northeast’s first highway-based Emergency Landing Facility in Assam marks a major shift in how civilian infrastructure is being integrated with defence and emergency preparedness. The successful trials by frontline fighter jets and heavy transport aircraft underline the growing emphasis on operational flexibility, allowing the Indian Air Force to operate from unconventional locations. This capability strengthens India’s readiness in scenarios where traditional air bases may be vulnerable, while also showcasing the country’s expanding aviation and highway engineering standards.

The airstrip’s location in Upper Assam adds strategic depth to border security and enhances rapid deployment capabilities in sensitive regions near the Line of Actual Control and the India–Myanmar border. At the same time, its role in disaster response is equally significant for a flood-prone state like Assam, enabling faster delivery of relief, medical aid, and evacuation support during emergencies. Alongside other infrastructure initiatives announced during the Prime Minister’s visit, the project reflects a broader push to strengthen connectivity, resilience, and strategic infrastructure across the Northeast.

(Sources: Moneycontrol, Hindustan Times, Economic Times)