The Nalbari district administration has approved the development of a 5-kilometre Emergency Landing Facility on National Highway-27 between Tihu and Madhapur in Lower Assam.
The facility will convert a highway stretch into a reinforced auxiliary runway capable of supporting military transport aircraft and civilian emergency operations during national security situations, natural disasters and urgent relief missions.
Assam’s second highway Emergency Landing Facility will be developed on NH-27 between Tihu and Madhapur in Nalbari district. The 5-km stretch will support emergency aircraft operations, rapid movement of personnel and supplies, and disaster response, making it strategically important for Lower Assam and the Guwahati-connected logistics corridor.
For Guwahati, the project is significant because Nalbari lies along the wider road and logistics network linked to the state capital. NH-27 is one of the most important highways connecting Guwahati with Lower Assam, western Assam and onward routes toward the rest of the Northeast.
Officials said the proposed facility is being designed as an alternative logistics and operational hub during emergencies. It is expected to support troop deployment, supply movement and disaster management operations when quick access by air is required.
The National Highways Authority of India will coordinate with local authorities to enforce zoning regulations around the designated corridor. This includes maintaining clear approach paths and preventing construction near the landing zone to ensure operational safety.
The facility will be built under military operational standards and will include reinforced infrastructure suitable for heavy aircraft operations. Such facilities are designed so that selected highway stretches can be used as runways during emergencies while continuing to function as regular roads at other times.
The project will become Assam’s second highway landing facility. The first such Emergency Landing Facility in the state was developed near Moran in Dibrugarh district and became operational earlier this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Moran facility in February 2026, marking the Northeast’s first such highway landing infrastructure.
The Moran facility was seen as a major step in strengthening defence preparedness and emergency response capacity in the Northeast. The Nalbari project extends that preparedness closer to Lower Assam and the Guwahati-linked corridor.
For residents of Guwahati and nearby districts, the project may not be a day-to-day public facility, but it has wider importance for regional resilience. During floods, earthquakes, landslides, conflict situations or other emergencies, such landing facilities can help authorities move relief material, personnel and equipment faster.
The location between Tihu and Madhapur also places the facility in a strategically useful part of Lower Assam. It can support operations across western and central Assam while remaining connected to Guwahati’s administrative, medical and logistics ecosystem.
The next phase will involve coordination between NHAI, district authorities and security agencies for development, zoning and safety clearances. Public attention will also remain on traffic management during construction and how the highway stretch will be maintained for both civilian and emergency use.
For Assam, the project matters because it strengthens emergency preparedness in a region where geography, floods and strategic location make fast-response infrastructure important. For Guwahati, it adds another layer of support to the broader transport and defence-readiness network connected to the capital region.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Project | Emergency Landing Facility |
| Location | NH-27 between Tihu and Madhapur, Nalbari district |
| Length | 5 kilometres |
| Authority | Nalbari district administration, with NHAI coordination |
| Purpose | Emergency aircraft operations, logistics, defence and disaster response |
| Status | Approved by district administration |
| Assam ranking | Second highway landing facility in the state |
| First facility | Moran near Dibrugarh |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will Assam’s second Emergency Landing Facility be developed?
Assam’s second Emergency Landing Facility will be developed on National Highway-27 between Tihu and Madhapur in Nalbari district.
Why is the Nalbari emergency landing facility important for Guwahati?
It is important for Guwahati because NH-27 is part of the wider logistics and road network connected to the state capital. The facility can support emergency response, disaster relief and strategic operations across Lower Assam and the Guwahati corridor.
What is an Emergency Landing Facility on a highway?
An Emergency Landing Facility is a reinforced highway stretch designed to function as an auxiliary runway during emergencies while normally operating as part of the road network.
Is this Assam’s first highway landing facility?
No. This will be Assam’s second such facility. The first Emergency Landing Facility was developed near Moran in Dibrugarh district and became operational earlier in 2026.