India is preparing to operationalize its first highway airstrip in the northeastern region, located just a few hundred kilometers from the Line of Actual Control with China. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to land on a 4.2-kilometer Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on a National Highway in Dibrugarh district, Assam, on Saturday, February 14, symbolizing its inauguration. A total of 16 aircraft from the Indian Air Force (IAF), including Rafale and Sukhoi jets, are expected to participate in an airshow, with several fighter jets slated to land on the newly constructed highway runway.

Strategic Significance of the Facility

The Emergency Landing Facility, part of the Dibrugarh-Moran National Highway, enhances national security and disaster preparedness. The location of this airstrip is critical due to its proximity to India’s eastern border with China. A geo-intelligence expert remarked that this airstrip contributes to the country’s crisis management capabilities by diversifying and improving air power, especially in volatile situations. Videos circulating prior to the inauguration displayed IAF Rafale fighters and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft executing landings and touch-and-go maneuvers on the highway strip.

First ELF in the Northeastern Region

This airstrip is distinguished as the first Emergency Landing Facility in Northeast India, situated near Chabua Air Force Station. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma indicated that Prime Minister Modi would travel from New Delhi to Chabua and then continue to land at the Moran ELFs. The stretch developed for this purpose has been completed in coordination with the IAF, allowing for emergency landings of fighter jets and heavy aircraft.

Purpose and Development of ELFs in India

Emergency Landing Facilities are designed to function as alternate runways in scenarios wherein existing airbases may be compromised during military engagements. The IAF, along with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, has identified 28 to 29 potential sites across India for development into ELFs. Currently, approximately 15 of these facilities are fully operational throughout various states. Other noteworthy ELFs include those on the Taj Expressway, Ganga Expressway, NH-925A in Rajasthan, and the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh.

Enhancements to Border Infrastructure

The establishment of the ELF in Assam holds considerable relevance amid India’s ongoing efforts to bolster border infrastructure in the Northeast following tensions in Eastern Ladakh. Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasized that the convergence of highway and runway capabilities reflects India’s commitment to strategic defense. He noted that the Dibrugarh-Moran section of the highway could be transformed into an automated Emergency Landing Facility for the country’s primary jets and transports.

Airstation During Inauguration Ceremony

The airshow planned for the facility’s opening will involve approximately 16 aircraft, including Rafales and Sukhois. Many of these fighter jets are expected to land on the strip for the first time. Additionally, the ELFs have been designed to accommodate heavy lift aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster and C-130J Super Hercules, vital for rapid troop deployment and logistical operations in border regions. Similar facilities were previously established in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Further Developments During Prime Minister’s Visit

After inaugurating the Emergency Landing Facility and witnessing the airshow, Prime Minister Modi will proceed to Guwahati. There, he will inaugurate a new bridge over the Brahmaputra River and the temporary campus of IIM Guwahati, alongside an AI-enabled hyperscale data center. This visit marks Modi’s third trip to Assam within a span of three months, ahead of the upcoming assembly elections scheduled in March-April 2026. The Dibrugarh ELF stands out as a significant strategic asset for India in the Northeast region.

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