PM Modi's touchdown at Emergency Landing Facility in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in  Assam for a series of high-profile engagements, including the inauguration of major infrastructure projects and the inspection of strategic facilities aimed at strengthening connectivity and development in the Northeast.

Strategic importance of the ELF

The facility is the first of its kind in Northeast India and has been developed in coordination with the Indian Air Force. It has been specially designed and constructed in coordination with the Indian Air Force to support landing and take-off of military and civil aircraft during emergencies.  It will serve as a critical asset for emergency response, enabling quick deployment of rescue and relief operations during natural disasters or strategic requirements in the Northeast. 

The runway is capable of handling fighter aircraft weighing up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 74 tonnes. It is expected to serve as a vital asset for emergency response, enabling swift rescue and relief operations during natural disasters and strategic contingencies in the region.

Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu over the Brahmaputra

At around 1 pm, the Prime Minister will inspect the newly constructed Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu across the Brahmaputra River. Built at a cost of approximately Rs 3,030 crore, the 6 lane extradosed prestressed concrete bridge connects Guwahati with North Guwahati.

The bridge is the first extradosed structure of its kind in the Northeast and is expected to reduce travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati to about 7 minutes.

Given the region’s high seismic activity, the bridge incorporates base isolation technology using friction pendulum bearings. High performance stay cables have been installed to ensure durability and long term structural stability. A Bridge Health Monitoring System has also been integrated to allow real time condition monitoring, early detection of damage and enhanced safety.

Development projects worth Rs 5,450 crore

Later, at around 1.30 pm, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and flag off multiple development projects worth over Rs 5,450 crore at Lachit Ghat in Guwahati. These projects are aimed at boosting connectivity, digital infrastructure, higher education and urban mobility across the North Eastern Region.

National data centre for the Northeast

Among the key initiatives is the inauguration of the National Data Centre for the Northeastern region at Amingaon in Kamrup district of Assam. The facility has a total sanctioned load of 8.5 MW and an average rack capacity of 10 kW.

The data centre will host mission-critical applications for various government departments and act as a disaster recovery centre for other national data centres. Aligned with the Digital India vision, it is expected to strengthen the region’s information and communication technology backbone and ensure secure, reliable and continuous digital services for citizens.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the new campus of Indian Institute of Management Guwahati. The institute is expected to significantly enhance higher and management education opportunities in the Northeast, further supporting the region’s long-term academic and economic growth.