Emergency Landing Facility (ELF)
Why in News?
The Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in Assam's Moran area has gained attention due to its recent inauguration by PM Narendra Modi, marking the first such facility in Northeast India.
Key Information about the Moran ELF
- Location: Situated on the Moran Bypass (part of National Highway-37/New NH-02) in Assam’s Dibrugarh district.
- Technical Specifications:
- Length: A 4.2-km reinforced concrete stretch specially engineered for aviation standards.
- Capacity: Designed to handle fighter aircraft up to 40 tonnes (Sukhoi-30MKI, Rafale) and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes.
- Cost: Constructed at an approximate cost of ₹100 crore by NHIDCL in coordination with the IAF.
- Design Features:
- The stretch lacks a central road divider to ensure smooth aircraft movement.
- Equipped with fencing on both sides and a real-time Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS) to maintain operational readiness.
- Dual-Use Purpose:
- Defense: Facilitates rapid deployment of troops, refuelling, and rearming of fighter jets in sensitive border areas.
- Disaster Relief: Acts as a lifeline for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, crucial for flood-prone regions.
Wider Network in India
The Indian Air Force has identified 28 locations across the country for such facilities to ensure air redundancy. Other established or tested ELFs include:
- Rajasthan: NH-925A near Barmer (India's first, inaugurated in 2021).
- Uttar Pradesh: Agra-Lucknow Expressway, Purvanchal Expressway, and Ganga Expressway.
- Andhra Pradesh: Recently activated on NH-16 (Prakasham district).
Download Pdf
