DIBRUGARH/MORAN — On Saturday, February 14, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially operationalized the first-ever highway-based emergency runway in Northeast India. In a dramatic display of the facility’s capabilities, the Prime Minister’s aircraft (an Indian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules) landed directly on the 4.2-kilometre reinforced stretch of National Highway 127 in Moran, Upper Assam, instead of using the nearby Chabua Air Force Station.
The inauguration took place around 10:30 AM, signaling a massive upgrade to India’s “strategic resolve” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, located less than 300 kilometres away.
1. The Inaugural Display: “Touchdowns and Flypasts”
The inauguration was accompanied by a high-octane 20-minute aerial demonstration by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Aircraft Involved: Around 16 aircraft, including frontline fighter jets like the Rafale and Sukhoi-30 MKI, as well as C-17 Globemaster transport planes and Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH).
- The Manoeuvre: Several fighter jets performed “touch-and-go” operations and full stops on the highway to prove its readiness to handle combat loads up to 40 tonnes.
- Prime Minister’s Departure: Following the event, PM Modi departed for Guwahati directly from the highway airstrip aboard a C-130 aircraft, marking another regional first.
2. Strategic Anatomy of the Moran ELF
The Moran bypass has been meticulously engineered to serve as a dual-use asset, functioning as a seamless road in peacetime and a fortified runway during exigencies.
| Feature | Technical Details |
| Length | 4.2 kilometres of reinforced concrete. |
| Capacity | Fighter jets up to 40 tonnes; Transport planes up to 74 tonnes. |
| Safety Measures | No central divider; fencing on both sides; cleared roadside structures. |
| Cost | Estimated at ₹150 Crore. |
| Primary Goal | Alternative runway if Dibrugarh or Chabua bases are targeted. |
3. Beyond Defense: A Shield Against Floods
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the humanitarian dimension of the project.
- Flood Relief: Since highway stretches are typically higher than surrounding terrain, the ELF will serve as a vital hub for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
- Deployment: Helicopters and transport planes can land here to deliver food and medicines to flood-submerged villages in Upper Assam when traditional road networks fail.
4. PM Modi’s Broader Assam Itinerary (Feb 14)
The ELF inauguration was the first stop in a day-long visit to the state, where the PM launched projects worth over ₹5,450 crore:
- Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu: A new 6-lane bridge over the Brahmaputra connecting Guwahati and North Guwahati.
- IIM Guwahati: Inauguration of the temporary campus for the prestigious management institute.
- Digital Infrastructure: Opening of the National Data Centre for the North-Eastern Region at Amingaon.
- Green Mobility: Flagging off 100 electric buses for Guwahati.