Feb 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Northeast’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Moran Bypass along a national highway in Dibrugarh district of Assam. The Prime Minister, who is on a day-long visit to the state, landed at the newly developed facility earlier in the day.
The Emergency Landing Facility has been designed and constructed in coordination with the Indian Air Force to enable both military and civil aircraft to land and take off during emergencies. It is the first such facility of its kind in Northeast India and is expected to significantly enhance strategic and disaster-response capabilities in the region.
Aerial Display Showcases Air Power
During the inauguration, the Prime Minister witnessed an aerial display by the Indian Air Force featuring frontline aircraft, including the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Rafale, AN-31 transport aircraft, Tejas fighter jets and Advanced Light Helicopters. The demonstration highlighted the operational readiness and strategic importance of the new landing facility.
After the event in Dibrugarh, Mr Modi departed for Guwahati from the Emergency Landing Facility.
Projects Worth ₹5,450 Crore in Guwahati
In Guwahati, the Prime Minister is set to inaugurate and flag off multiple development projects worth over ₹5,450 crore aimed at boosting infrastructure and connectivity in Assam and the wider Northeast region.
A key highlight is the inauguration of the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, built across the Brahmaputra River at a cost of ₹3,000 crore. The bridge connects Guwahati with North Guwahati and is expected to ease traffic congestion while improving regional connectivity and economic activity.
Following the bridge inauguration, the Prime Minister will proceed to Lachit Ghat to virtually inaugurate the temporary campus of the Indian Institute of Management Guwahati and the National Data Centre for the North Eastern Region at Amingaon in Kamrup district. These projects aim to strengthen higher education and digital infrastructure in the region.
Boost to Green Mobility Under PM-eBus Sewa
The Prime Minister will also flag off 225 electric buses under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme. Of these, 100 buses are allocated for Guwahati, 50 each for Nagpur and Bhavnagar, and 25 for Chandigarh. The initiative is part of the government’s push toward sustainable urban mobility and reduced carbon emissions.
Later in the day, Mr Modi is scheduled to address a Booth Sanmilan of BJP workers in Guwahati.
The Prime Minister’s visit underscores the Centre’s focus on strengthening infrastructure, defence preparedness, digital capacity and sustainable urban transport in the Northeast, positioning the region as a key driver of India’s growth story.
