In a historic display of India's growing strategic capabilities and its commitment to the development of the Northeast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a landmark landing on Saturday at the region’s first-ever Emergency Landing Facility (ELF). Arriving on board a C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force, the Prime Minister touched down on the Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh, Assam, turning a state highway into a strategic military airstrip.
The landing, which occurred at approximately 10:51 am, was not just a mode of transport but a powerful visual statement. Following his arrival, the Prime Minister witnessed an impressive aerial display that saw frontline fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters showcase their capabilities. In a stunning demonstration of precision and power, the Air Force's Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Rafale fighter jets performed touch-and-go exercises on the very same stretch of road, underscoring the runway's strategic utility.
The Emergency Landing Facility on the Moran Bypass is the first of its kind in Northeast India. Developed in close coordination with the Indian Air Force, the facility has been specially designed to support the landing and take-off of both military and civil aircraft during emergencies.
Given that India's Northeastern region shares sensitive international borders with China, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, the strategic importance of this facility cannot be overstated. The historic landing and the accompanying aerial exercises serve as a clear demonstration of India's strategic prowess and its ability to rapidly project power in the region.
The runway is engineered to handle heavy military aircraft, including fighter jets weighing up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 74 tonnes. Beyond its military significance, the ELF is a critical asset for emergency response. In a region prone to natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, the facility will enable the swift deployment of rescue and relief operations, ensuring that aid can reach remote areas quickly during times of crisis.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister's itinerary took him to Guwahati, where he inspected the newly constructed Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu. This 6-lane extradosed prestressed concrete bridge, built at a cost of approximately Rs 3,030 crore, spans the mighty Brahmaputra River, connecting Guwahati with North Guwahati.
As the first extradosed structure of its kind in the Northeast, the bridge is a marvel of modern engineering. Designed with the region's high seismic activity in mind, it incorporates advanced base isolation technology using friction pendulum bearings. High-performance stay cables and an integrated Bridge Health Monitoring System ensure its durability, long-term stability, and safety. The bridge is expected to slash travel time between the two banks to just about seven minutes, dramatically improving connectivity and fostering economic integration.
The highlight of the Prime Minister's visit was the inauguration and flagging off of multiple development projects worth over Rs 5,450 crore at Lachit Ghat in Guwahati. These projects, spanning connectivity, digital infrastructure, higher education, and urban mobility, are aimed at accelerating the region's growth trajectory.
Boosting the Digital Backbone
A cornerstone of these initiatives is the inauguration of the National Data Centre for the Northeastern region at Amingaon in the Kamrup district. With a total sanctioned load of 8.5 MW and an average rack capacity of 10 kW, the facility will host mission-critical applications for various government departments. It will also act as a disaster recovery centre for other national data centres. Aligned with the Digital India vision, this data centre is poised to strengthen the region’s ICT backbone, ensuring secure, reliable, and continuous digital services for citizens.
Nurturing Future Leaders
In a significant boost to education, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the new campus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Guwahati. The state-of-the-art campus is expected to significantly enhance higher and management education opportunities in the Northeast, playing a pivotal role in nurturing future leaders and supporting the region’s long-term academic and economic growth.
From the roar of fighter jets on a highway runway to the quiet promise of a new data centre and a world-class management institute, Prime Minister Modi's visit underscored a comprehensive vision for the Northeast—one that seamlessly integrates strategic strength with robust infrastructure and human capital development. The day’s events sent a clear message: the Northeast is not just a priority but a cornerstone of India's future.
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