Watch: In A First, IAF's Sukhoi Su-30 MKI Lands At Emergency Landing Facility On National Highway In Rajasthan's Barmer

In a first, the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) landed on a Emergency Landing Field (ELF) on a National Highway in Rajasthan's Barmer.

The 3-km long landing strip on the NH-925A in Barmer was inaugurated by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari today (9 September).

NHAI had developed the 3-Km section of Satta-Gandhav stretch of NH-925A as an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) for Indian Air Force, which is part of newly developed two-lane paved shoulder of Gagariya-Bakhasar and Satta-Gandhav section having total length of 196.97 Km and Costing Rs 765.52 Crores under Bharatmala Pariyojana.

This project will improve connectivity between villages of Barmer & Jalore districts located on international border. The stretch being located in the western border area at a distance of 40 km from Indo-Pakistan border will facilitate the vigilance of the Indian Army as well as strengthen the basic infrastructure of the country, the Ministry of Road Tranport and Highways said on Wednesday (8 September).

According to the ministry, this is the first time that National Highway will be used for emergency landing of aircraft of IAF.

During normal time the ELF will be used for smooth flow of road traffic. However, during the operations of ELF for Indian Air Force, the service road will be used for smooth flow of road traffic.

The Landing Strip will be able to facilitate landing of all types of Aircraft of Indian Airforce, the ministry said.