Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Sunday that a portion of the national highway near Dibrugarh will soon be developed into an emergency landing facility for Indian Air Force fighter jets and civilian aircraft. This will be the first such dual-use highway airstrip in the northeastern region.
Speaking to reporters, Sarma said the Union government has approved the development of a 4.2 km stretch between Moran and Numaligarh on the national highway passing through Dibrugarh. This stretch will be capable of accommodating emergency landings of fighter jets like the Sukhoi 30 and Rafale. The project is being executed in coordination with the Indian Air Force and is expected to be completed by October 2025.
“We are aiming for October this year to prepare the 4.2 km stretch of national highway to land Air Force fighter jets. I have been constantly in touch with the Air Force authorities to meet this deadline. The work will be completed under their supervision also. Once the highway is prepared for landing fighter jets, we will organise an air show for the general public,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that the airstrip will also serve as an emergency alternative for civilian aircraft. “If at any situation, any civilian aircraft is not able to land at Dibrugarh airport, there will be a provision for an emergency landing on the national highway also,” Sarma stated.
In addition to the Dibrugarh project, the Central government has approved similar highway-based emergency landing facilities at two other locations in Assam. One will be in lower Assam and the other between Nagaon and Lumding. Work on these two projects will commence soon.
Sarma emphasized that these initiatives reflect the unprecedented development in road and defense infrastructure that Assam is witnessing under the current administration.
