Modi inaugurates emergency landing facility on Assam highway near China border

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) built on a highway for military-civilian use close to the border with China in the north eastern state of Assam.

Soon after inaugurating the Rs 100-crore facility, Modi landed there aboard a C-130J aircraft of the Indian Air Force from Chhabua air base on a 4.2km concrete stretch of the national highway in Assam's Dibrugarh district.

This is the first ELF in north east India aimed at strengthening defence, logistics and disaster response in the region, Indian officials said.

The landing facility, less than 300km from the border with China, will act as a strategic and multi-functional runway for Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets and transport aircraft.

A portion of the highway has been converted into a potential runway for fighter jets, strengthening its operational posture along a sensitive frontier and is being seen as a strategic addition to India's military infrastructure in the Northeast, giving the air force greater flexibility.

The ELF will support landing and take-off of military and civil aircraft during emergencies, facilitating rapid deployment of rescue and relief operations during natural disasters or strategic requirements in the Northeast.

The ELF is capable of handling fighter aircraft up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes maximum take-off weight, said an official statement.

Unlike fixed airbases that could be targeted or rendered unusable in a conflict scenario, highway-based landing strips offer operational surprise.

Later, Modi witnessed a display of IAF's firepower including fighter planes like Rafale jets, transports and helicopters at the ELF. Elite Special Forces showcased the precision and accuracy during the aerial show.