Dibrugarh/Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Assam on a one-day visit, with his aircraft landing at the state’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) near Dibrugarh, close to the China border. He was received by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
During the visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated the newly developed Emergency Landing Facility near the Moran bypass, marking a significant strategic milestone for the Northeast. The event featured aerial displays by fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters, underlining the operational capability of the new infrastructure.
Strategic Message Toward China
This marks PM Modi’s third visit to Assam in the past three months, ahead of the anticipated state assembly elections. The ELF, located near the India-China border, is being seen as a strong strategic signal amid regional security considerations.
Developed in collaboration with the Indian Air Force, the facility is designed to handle fighter aircraft weighing up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes. It will enhance India’s emergency response preparedness, enabling swift deployment during natural disasters or in case of border tensions.
Similar Facilities in Other States
While similar emergency landing strips exist on expressways in Uttar Pradesh (Agra-Lucknow and Purvanchal Expressways), Odisha’s Balasore, and Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore, the Dibrugarh facility holds special significance due to its proximity to the China border and its strategic value for the Northeast.
Infrastructure Boost Worth ₹3,000 Crore
In Guwahati, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the ₹3,000-crore Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, a six-lane bridge connecting Guwahati with North Guwahati. The bridge is expected to enhance seamless connectivity, boost regional development, improve seismic resilience, and accelerate growth in the state capital region.
Additionally, from Lachit Ghat, PM Modi will digitally inaugurate the temporary campus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Guwahati and an AI-enabled hyperscale data center. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the establishment of IIM-Guwahati will mark a major leap in Assam’s higher education landscape, placing it among select states hosting premier institutions such as IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS.
The Prime Minister will also flag off 100 electric vehicles for Guwahati, reinforcing the state’s push toward sustainable and green mobility.
The visit highlights a dual focus on strategic security preparedness and accelerated infrastructure and educational development in the Northeast.