PM Modi Makes Historic Touchdown on Northeast's First Emergency Landing Highway in Moran; What Is Special About The Airstrip?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic touchdown at the Northeast’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in Moran, Dibrugarh district on Saturday, marking a key step in the state’s strategic and infrastructure development.

The specially developed stretch of national highway has been designed to allow Indian Air Force fighter jets to take off and land during emergencies. The Prime Minister inaugurated the facility in the poll-bound state by becoming the first to land on the 4.2-kilometre strip.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the ELF on the Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh from the Chabua airfield, where he had landed earlier in the day. From Chabua, he boarded an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft to travel to the facility, built at a cost of Rs 100 crore, a first of its kind in the Northeast.

He was received by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and other senior state officials.

Why is the Emergency Facility Special?

The Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in Moran is a landmark project with far-reaching strategic, operational, and developmental significance. As the Northeast’s first highway-based airstrip, it strengthens India’s defence preparedness by enabling fighter jets and transport aircraft to take off and land during emergencies, ensuring rapid response in case of natural disasters or security contingencies.

Beyond its military role, the dual-use facility enhances regional connectivity, providing an alternative to Dibrugarh airport for civil operations. It also supports disaster relief, medical evacuation, and humanitarian missions in remote areas, demonstrating the integration of defence infrastructure with civilian needs.

By combining strategic utility with practical accessibility, the ELF not only bolsters national security but also symbolizes the Northeast’s transformation into a resilient and well-connected frontier.

Envisioned as dual-use infrastructure, the ELF is capable of handling fighter aircraft up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes maximum take-off weight.

Which Aircraft Did PM Modi Use ?

The Prime Minister landed at the facility aboard a C‑130J Super Hercules aircraft, a highly capable military transport plane built by the American aerospace company Lockheed Martin and widely used by air forces around the world, including India.

The C‑130J is the latest production version of the legendary Hercules series, known for its advanced avionics, powerful turboprop engines and ability to operate from short, unprepared and semi‑rough runways, a key reason it is ideal for operations on highway‑based airstrips like Moran.

Renowned as one of the most versatile tactical airlifters in service, the C‑130J is used for a broad range of missions, including troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, disaster relief, search and rescue, and airdrop operations. It can fly faster, farther and with greater efficiency than earlier Hercules models, and its design allows for rapid reconfiguration to meet diverse mission needs.

Air Force’s Mega Aerial Display in Assam

The Prime Minister also witnessed a 40-minute aerial display by the Indian Air Force, featuring fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters. The demonstration highlighted the operational readiness of the Indian Air Force and the dual-use capability of the highway strip.

As part of the exercise, fighter aircraft including the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Rafale jets operated from the Emergency Landing Facility. The An-32, known as the ‘workhorse’ of the IAF and designed for both cargo and passenger transport, was also showcased during the display.

In addition, special heli-borne operations and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) demonstrations were conducted using Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH). These helicopters play a key role in surveillance, search and rescue missions, medical evacuation and food airdrops in remote and inaccessible areas.

The Air Force’s elite special forces unit, Garud Commandos, also demonstrated their precision and lethal accuracy during the aerial showcase.

Following the event, the Prime Minister departed for Guwahati from the Emergency Landing Facility aboard a C-130J aircraft. He is on a day-long visit to Assam, during which he will launch development projects worth over Rs 5,500 crore and attend public rallies.

From Vulnerability to Vigilance: Transformation in Northeast

In the aftermath of the 1962 Indo-China War, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, addressed the nation during one of its most testing moments and voiced deep concern for the region, saying that “my heart goes out to the people of Assam.”

His words reflected the anxiety and strategic vulnerability that marked the Northeast at the time, a region grappling with limited infrastructure, fragile connectivity and pressing security challenges along the eastern frontier.

More than six decades later, the narrative has undergone a decisive transformation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landing at the newly inaugurated Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in Assam stands as a powerful symbol of that shift. What was once a theatre of uncertainty has evolved into a zone of strengthened preparedness and strategic confidence.

The development of a dual-use highway airstrip in Moran underscores not only enhanced defence capability but also a broader commitment to integrating the Northeast into India’s long-term security architecture and development agenda.

From the brink of vulnerability to a posture of vigilance and resilience, the region’s journey reflects a significant chapter in India’s evolving strategic outlook.

How Many Facility in India?

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has identified at least 28 such emergency landing sites across India for use by fighter jets and military cargo aircraft.

In addition to the Moran Emergency Landing Facility in eastern Assam, another strategic highway stretch of about 3.6 km in Assam is being commissioned as an Indian Air Force runway for emergency fighter operations.

This segment is situated roughly 240 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, underscoring its strategic importance in enhancing India’s airpower and operational readiness along a sensitive frontier.

Such facilities enhance dispersed and survivable airpower, ensuring operational readiness even if conventional airbases are compromised.

The Moran emergency landing facility holds strategic importance as the first highway-based emergency airstrip in the northeast. In the future, advanced fighter aircraft such as Rafale, Sukhoi and MiG jets of the Indian Air Force will be able to use the stretch during emergencies or operational requirements.