The Indian Air Force (IAF) has commenced trial operations at the Northeast’s inaugural Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) located on a highway airstrip in Moran, Dibrugarh district, Assam. This significant milestone precedes a formal inauguration set for February 14, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The trials, initiated on February 11 and extending until February 13, involve various advanced aircraft, including the Sukhoi-30 MKI, Rafale, indigenous Tejas jets, C-130J Hercules, and AN-32. These aircraft conducted landing and take-off exercises on a specially constructed 4.2-kilometre stretch of National Highway-127, showcasing the IAF’s operational capabilities and readiness.
Local residents from nearby towns and villages gathered in large numbers to witness the historic operations, with students, children, and community members lining the highway to catch a glimpse of the aircraft in action. The aerial maneuvers were met with enthusiasm as onlookers cheered during the landings and takeoffs, marking a rare demonstration of military aviation in the region.
Officials highlighted that the Moran Emergency Landing Facility serves as a crucial strategic asset, providing an alternative runway for military aircraft during emergencies or in wartime scenarios when traditional airbases might be compromised. Notably, the Prime Minister’s planned landing on this highway airstrip will mark a historic moment, being the first time a sitting Prime Minister lands directly in the Northeast on such a facility.
Following the Prime Minister’s landing, there will be a formal inauguration of the ELF, accompanied by a comprehensive aerial demonstration from the IAF. To facilitate these operations and ensure safety, traffic on NH-127 has been redirected through the older NH-37 via Moran town until the inauguration date.
In preparation for this significant event, district and police authorities have coordinated closely with IAF officials to implement extensive security and logistical measures. The successful completion of the trial operations is seen as a pivotal step towards the grand inauguration and further cements Moran’s role in India’s growing strategic aviation infrastructure in the Northeast region.
