Guwahati, Feb 14 (NationPress) On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) situated on the national highway in Moran, located in Assam's Dibrugarh district. This facility marks the very first of its kind in the entire northeastern region, as confirmed by government officials.

Following the inauguration of the ELF, Prime Minister Modi enjoyed an impressive air show presented by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The display featured advanced fighter aircraft such as Rafale, Sukhoi, and MIG, all of which successfully executed take-offs and landings on the highway strip.

An estimated crowd of over one lakh people gathered to witness this significant event on Saturday.

Situated in Upper Assam, the ELF on the Moran Bypass is recognized as a substantial strategic enhancement to India's military capabilities in the Northeast. It provides the IAF with improved operational flexibility in a region that has experienced rising tensions recently.

The ELF at Moran is designed to serve as an alternative landing site in scenarios where the Dibrugarh Airport or the Chabua Air Force Station may be rendered unusable due to operational issues or emergencies.

This facility considerably boosts the IAF's capacity to respond quickly to emergencies near sensitive border areas.

The reinforced concrete stretch measures 4.2 km and has been constructed to function as an emergency runway that can accommodate both military and civilian aircraft.

Unlike traditional fixed airbases that could be susceptible to attacks or disruptions during conflicts, highway-based landing facilities offer essential redundancy, mobility, and surprise in operations.

A distinctive aspect of the Moran ELF is its lack of a central road divider, which facilitates seamless aircraft movement during both landing and take-off.

To maintain safety and readiness, protective fencing has been installed alongside the stretch, while temporary roadside structures have been removed as part of operational clearance.

In addition to being the first Emergency Landing Facility of its nature in Northeast India, the Moran ELF's closeness to the India-China border enhances its strategic importance.

Up until now, similar facilities in India were predominantly located in the western, northern, and central regions of the country.

The establishment of the Moran ELF signifies a notable eastward expansion of this vital infrastructure towards the China-facing frontier.

Developed in close collaboration with the IAF, this dual-use facility has been engineered to support fighter aircraft weighing up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 74 tonnes, as stated by government sources.