Guwahati: In a significant stride towards bolstering national security and disaster preparedness, Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday personally oversaw the ongoing construction of the state’s inaugural Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) at Jatiyani village, nestled near Moran. This ambitious project, a brainchild of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), is strategically coming up along National Highway 2, promising a new era of rapid response capabilities for the region.
The meticulously planned facility spans an 11-kilometre stretch of four-lane highway, connecting the Polo Club in Khatkhati to Tiloijan. A crucial 4.2-kilometre segment, stretching from Polo Club to Rassipathar, has been specifically reinforced to handle the demanding take-offs and landings of high-performance military aircraft like the Rafale, Tejas, and MiG. This core segment is envisioned as a vital lifeline during national emergencies, be it natural calamities, wartime scenarios, or other unforeseen crises, ensuring seamless aerial operations.
During his comprehensive site inspection, Chief Minister Sarma exuded confidence, stating that the project is firmly on track for completion by October 2025. Beyond its primary defence role, the CM highlighted the facility’s dual purpose, emphasizing its critical utility as a landing base for helicopters during the often-devastating flood emergencies that plague the state. To mark its operational readiness and showcase its prowess, CM Sarma also revealed exciting plans to host an air show at the facility post-completion, a spectacle that is sure to captivate the public and demonstrate Assam’s enhanced capabilities.
“This is a historic development for the Northeast,” remarked CM Sarma, underscoring the profound impact of the ELF. He further elaborated, “It will significantly boost both our defense preparedness and disaster response capabilities.” The initiative, he explained, is part of a broader nationwide strategy to establish ELFs at regular intervals, typically every 50 to 100 kilometres, to fortify India’s national security apparatus.
The Moran ELF is not an isolated endeavour; rather, it is one of several such facilities slated for development across Assam. Further approvals have been granted for similar projects in critical corridors, including between Barama and Tihu in Lower Assam, and between Hojai-Lanka and Lumding in Central Assam, signalling a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s strategic infrastructure.
The high-profile inspection witnessed the presence of a distinguished delegation, including Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Industries and Commerce Minister Bimal Bora, alongside MLAs Chakradhar Gogoi, Taranga Gogoi, and Susanta Borgohain. Also in attendance were ATDC Chairman Rituparna Baruah, IAF Group Captain Ashish Dhankhar, NHIDCL General Manager Rupesh Kumar, and a host of other senior defence and government officials, all bearing witness to this pivotal development for the state of Assam.
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