Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed on a national highway in Moran, Assam, near the Bangladesh border, aboard a C-130J aircraft on February 15, 2026. The landing took place on the region’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF), built to serve as both a highway and an airstrip for relief and rescue operations during emergencies. The event marked the beginning of Modi’s one-day visit to the state ahead of upcoming elections.
Following the landing, Modi observed a 40-minute air show featuring Tejas, Sukhoi, and Rafale fighter jets. According to reports, the Moran ELF holds significant strategic value due to its proximity to key borders—approximately 600 kilometers from Bangladesh’s Sylhet border, 700 kilometers from Rangpur, and 450 kilometers from China. The facility can serve as an alternative to Dibrugarh Airport or Chabua Air Base if needed during emergencies.
The demonstration highlighted India’s growing focus on dual-use infrastructure in its northeastern region, enhancing both defense readiness and disaster response capabilities.