Moran ELF emerges as strategic asset for defence readiness & flood relief operations

Moran, Feb 13: The newly developed Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) at Moran is set to become a strategic asset for both national defence and disaster management in Upper Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday 

On February 14, several frontline aircraft of the Indian Air Force including Rafale, Tejas, Sukhoi fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters will land at the highway-based airstrip in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Governor of Assam Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and the Air Force Chief.

The Chief Minister stressed that the true value of the ELF lies in its strategic and humanitarian importance.

“The first motive of this Emergency Landing Facility is preparation for war and strengthening defence readiness,” he said.

The ability of advanced fighter jets and transport aircraft to land on highways significantly enhances operational flexibility during emergencies or conflict situations.

“This kind of infrastructure ensures that Assam is not just geographically important, but strategically prepared,” he added.

Beyond military preparedness, the Chief Minister underlined the ELF’s critical role in disaster response particularly during Assam’s floods.

“Highways are usually at a higher elevation than villages. During floods, helicopters can land here and distribute relief materials. We have already identified five strategic highway locations for helicopter landings during emergencies,” he said.

The Moran strip, located near Khowang and the Mamora Tingkhol constituency, is expected to function as a vital relief hub when road connectivity to submerged villages is disrupted.

“In times of disaster, this will help the Air Force and disaster response teams supply food, medicines and rescue equipment quickly,” he noted.

While there will be no large public meeting during the February 14 event, the Chief Minister encouraged district authorities to enable students from Dibrugarh, Charaideo and nearby areas to witness the aircraft landings.

“Seeing fighter jets land before their eyes may inspire young students to serve the nation through the Indian Air Force,” he said.

The Chief Minister also linked the ELF to broader road development initiatives in Upper Assam. Recalling past concerns over road infrastructure during the Lok Sabha elections, he said commitments made to improve connectivity are being fulfilled.

“There was an issue about this road earlier. I had promised the people that it would be completed. A small stretch in Demow is under work and will be completed before the elections,” he said.

While acknowledging that development work is ongoing in certain stretches, he described the transformation over the years as substantial.

“From my initial days to now, the roads have undergone complete transformation. In some places it is 70 per cent complete, in others more or less but progress is steady", Sarma said.

He further announced that Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit on February 24 to sanction Rs 2,000 crore under PMGAY for rural roads, which will upgrade several stretches from two-lane to four-lane highways.