Assam CM reviews Emergency Landing Facility ahead of inauguration by PM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on February 12, reviewed preparations at the emergency landing facility (ELF) on the Dibrugarh–Moran national highway, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to land on February 14 as part of a high-profile Indian Air Force (IAF) exercise.

 

Sarma inspected the 4.2-km stretch between Moran and Demow in the evening, accompanied by minister Yogen Mohan and MLAs Chakradhar Gogoi and Tarang Gogoi. Officials briefed him on construction progress and logistical arrangements ahead of the demonstration.

 

Speaking to reporters at the site, Sarma said the prime minister would travel from New Delhi to the Chabua Air Force base and then board a C-130 transport aircraft to land directly on the highway airstrip at Moran before proceeding to Guwahati.

 

Around 16 IAF aircraft are expected to participate in a 30-minute exercise. “Rafale, Sukhoi and other IAF aircraft will take part in the airshow, and many of the fighter jets will also land at the strip. This will be the first such elaborate exercise on an ELF,” Sarma said.

 

He described the spectacle as “very rare” and said students from schools, colleges and universities in Dibrugarh and Charaideo districts have been invited to witness it. He expressed hope that the demonstration would inspire the new generation to consider joining the Air Force.

 

Sarma clarified that only an aircraft landing demonstration would be held at Moran and that there would be no public meeting or speech at the venue.

 

Constructed under the Dibrugarh–Moran National Highway project in coordination with the IAF, the emergency strip is intended to strengthen strategic infrastructure in the region. Apart from wartime contingencies, Sarma said the facility would help in landing helicopters carrying relief materials during floods or other natural disasters.

 

Brick pavement work to address dust concerns is nearing completion, and preparations are expected to be finalised by Thursday, he added.

 

Modi is scheduled to continue his visit in Guwahati, where he will inaugurate infrastructure projects and attend official and political engagements later in the day.