The 4.4-km facility, built along National Highway-127, is designed for dual use by civilian and military aircraft during emergencies or conflict. Authorities said the site lies roughly 300 km from the international border and can support rapid troop movement, relief operations, and aerial deployment if required.
During the visit, 16 fighter jets conducted coordinated take-offs and landings from the highway strip in a 30-minute aerial display, demonstrating the operational readiness of the Indian Air Force. Defence officials described the exercise as a validation of the strip’s capability to handle high-performance aircraft under real-time conditions.
The Moran facility is the first ELF in the Northeast and the sixth nationwide. India opened its first such highway airstrip in Rajasthan in 2021, and more than a dozen similar projects are under development to strengthen logistical flexibility across regions.
After the demonstration, Modi travelled to Guwahati to inaugurate infrastructure projects worth ₹5,450 crore, including a major bridge over the Brahmaputra River and a regional data centre. The bridge, built with seismic-resistant technology and real-time monitoring systems, is expected to cut travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati to about seven minutes.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal received the Prime Minister at the venue. Officials said the visit marks his third trip to the state in three months and comes as Assam prepares for assembly elections later this year.
Government sources said the highway airstrip project reflects a broader push to integrate civilian infrastructure with defence preparedness, particularly in frontier regions. Analysts note that such facilities enhance mobility, reduce dependence on traditional airbases, and improve response time during crises.
With voter rolls recently updated and key political issues resurfacing in the state, Modi’s visit is being viewed as both a strategic inspection and a development outreach effort aimed at highlighting infrastructure investment in the Northeast.
