Syllabus: GS –III & V: Infrastructure

Why in the News?

On 14 February 2026, Prime Minister landed at the newly built Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Moran Bypass in Assam, marking the operationalisation of the first highway-based airstrip in Northeast India. This facility significantly enhances India’s strategic readiness and air defence capability in a region close to the Line of Actual Control with China.

What is an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF)?

• An Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) is a specially designed stretch of highway that can function as a runway for aircraft during emergencies.
• It allows fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters to land and take off when regular airbases are unavailable.
• These facilities are part of dual-use infrastructure, serving both civilian and military purposes.
  

Key Features of Moran Emergency Landing Facility

• Located on the Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh district, Assam, less than 300 kilometres from the Line of Actual Control.
• Constructed at a cost of approximately ₹100 crore.
• Designed to support aircraft such as:
  • C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft
  • Fighter jets and helicopters
  • Civilian aircraft during emergencies
• Developed in coordination with the Indian Air Force and the Ministry of Defence.
  

This makes Moran ELF a critical part of India’s distributed air defence network.

Strategic Importance for National Security

1. Enhances Defence Preparedness

• In war situations, airbases are often the first targets.
• ELFs provide backup landing platforms, ensuring continuity of air operations even if main airbases are damaged.

2. Critical Due to Northeast’s Strategic Geography

• The Northeast is connected to mainland India through the narrow Siliguri Corridor, also called the “Chicken’s Neck”, making connectivity vulnerable.
• The ELF provides an alternative air operations platform, reducing strategic risks.

3. Strengthens Border Security

• The ELF is located near important airbases like:
  • Chabua Air Force Station
  • Tezpur Air Force Station
• It creates a network of operational airfields, increasing India’s air defence flexibility.

Strategic Concept: Distributed Air Infrastructure

Distributed air infrastructure refers to the creation of multiple smaller, flexible air facilities instead of relying only on large permanent airbases.

Benefits include:

• Reduces vulnerability to enemy attacks.
• Improves operational flexibility.
• Enhances rapid troop deployment.
• Improves disaster response capability.

India began this approach in 2021, with its first highway airstrip in Barmer, Rajasthan.

Importance for Disaster Management and Civilian Use

The Moran ELF is not only useful during war but also during:

• Floods, which frequently affect Assam.
• Earthquakes, as the region lies in Seismic Zone V.
• Emergency evacuation and relief operations.

Thus, it strengthens India’s National Disaster Management framework.

Related Strategic and Defence Frameworks

• Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence: Promotes indigenous defence infrastructure.
• Integrated Theatre Commands: Aim to enhance coordination between Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• Border Infrastructure Development Programme: Improves connectivity and strategic readiness in border areas.

Important Terms Explained

1. Emergency Landing Facility: A highway airstrip designed for emergency aircraft operations.
2. Line of Actual Control: The disputed boundary between India and China.
3. Siliguri Corridor: A narrow land corridor connecting Northeast India with mainland India.
4. Dual-use Infrastructure: Infrastructure used for both civilian and military purposes.
5. Distributed Air Defence Network: A system of multiple airbases and airstrips to ensure uninterrupted air operations.

Broader Strategic Significance for India

• Strengthens India’s defence preparedness in the Northeast.
• Supports rapid military mobilisation near sensitive borders.
• Enhances India’s ability to respond to war, natural disasters, and emergencies.
• Reinforces India’s transition toward modern and flexible military infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

• The Moran ELF is the first highway-based airstrip in Northeast India.
• It strengthens India’s air defence preparedness near the China border.
• It supports both military operations and disaster management.
• It reflects India’s shift toward dual-use strategic infrastructure.

Mains Question

Q. Discuss the strategic importance of Emergency Landing Facilities in strengthening India’s defence preparedness, especially in sensitive regions like Northeast India.

One-Line Wrap

The Moran Emergency Landing Facility represents a critical step in strengthening India’s strategic air defence network and ensuring preparedness in the sensitive Northeast region.

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