PM Modi makes historic landing at Northeast’s first highway emergency landing facility | Watch

PM Narendra Modi makes historic landing at Northeast’s first highway emergency landing facility | Watch

• PM Modi lands on Assam's first highway emergency landing strip
• Facility enables IAF jets, built at Rs 100 crore in Dibrugarh
• Modi to open Rs 3,000 crore Brahmaputra bridge in Guwahati

Did our AI summary help?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday became the first to land on the Northeast’s inaugural Emergency Landing Facility on a national highway in Assam, underlining the Centre’s push to strengthen strategic infrastructure in the region.

The Prime Minister’s aircraft touched down on the 4.2 kilometre emergency landing stretch built along the Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh district. Constructed at a cost of Rs 100 crore, the facility has been developed to enable Indian Air Force fighter jets and transport aircraft to operate during emergencies, making it the first such installation in the Northeast.

Earlier in the day, PM Narendra Modi arrived at the Chabua airfield, where he was received by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and other senior state officials. He later boarded an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft from Chabua to reach the emergency landing site.

Officials said the dual use infrastructure can accommodate fighter aircraft weighing up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft with a maximum take off weight of up to 74 tonnes.

After the landing, the Prime Minister watched a 20 minute aerial demonstration involving fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters, highlighting the operational readiness of the new facility.

Later in the day, PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to travel to Guwahati to inaugurate the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, a bridge built at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore across the Brahmaputra river. The 1.24 kilometre structure will link Guwahati with North Guwahati and is expected to reduce congestion while improving connectivity in the region. Officials said the bridge was completed under challenging riverine conditions.

The Prime Minister is also slated to address Bharatiya Janata Party workers during his visit to Assam.