Prime Minister Narendra Modi today landed in an Air Force military transport aircraft (C-130J Super Hercules) at the country's first Highway Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in Dibrugarh, Assam.

PM Modi landed at ELF from an Air Force plane

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed an Air Force military transport aircraft (C-130J Super Hercules) at the country's first highway emergency landing facility (ELF) in Dibrugarh, Assam, on Saturday (February 14). The facility, built on a highway strip in Upper Assam, will provide an alternative landing site for fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters in case of an emergency. 

This emergency landing facility is considered a significant step in Northeast India's defense and strategic preparedness. An emergency landing facility is a highway strip that normally serves vehicles, but can be converted into a runway for aircraft landing and takeoff if necessary. The Dibrugarh ELF is located in upper Assam, very close to the India-China border. The LAC with China is only 240 kilometers away.

Rafale, Sukhoi-

30 MKI, C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, Dornier surveillance aircraft, and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) jets successfully landed and took off on the highway strip. Casualty evacuation exercises were also conducted using helicopters. This facility will be useful in combat as well as humanitarian aid missions.

Assam witnesses a historic moment as Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands at the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh. Here, he will witness the aerial display of fighters, transports and helicopters. The ELF is the first of its kind in Northeast India.… pic.twitter.com/araUYtFITx

— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2026

Plans to build 28-29 ELFs across the country

It's worth noting that in 2021, PM Modi landed his plane on a similar strip in Uttar Pradesh. This is also a demonstration of the military's capabilities. The Air Force has developed a project to build 28-29 such ELFs across the country. It's worth noting that 15 have already been completed. The nearest airbase to the emergency landing facility in Assam where PM Modi landed is Jhabua, where Sukhoi aircraft are deployed.

The Northeast is adjacent to India's sensitive borders with China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. These projects will protect against enemy attacks. Besides providing faster response and improved logistics to the Indian Army, they will also improve connectivity for the general public.