Modi in Assam: Inaugurates Moran emergency landing facility, e-buses, IIM and more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today completed a high-impact one-day visit to Assam, inaugurating a series of transformative infrastructure, education, and technology projects worth over ₹5,500 crore . The visit, part of a major development push ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, expected in March-April 2026 , marked several strategic milestones for the Northeast.

The Prime Minister made a historic landing aboard an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft at the newly constructed Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh district. The 4.2-km dual-use highway-airstrip , built in coordination with the Indian Air Force, is designed to handle both military and civil aircraft, enhancing emergency response, disaster relief, and strategic operational readiness in the Northeast. Modi also witnessed an aerial display featuring fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters, showcasing the ELF’s operational capabilities. Officials said the facility adds another layer of defence preparedness in a region close to India’s strategic frontiers.

In Guwahati , the Prime Minister inaugurated the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu , a 1.24-km, six-lane extradosed bridge across the Brahmaputra River . Built at a cost of around ₹3,030 crore , the bridge is the first extradosed structure of its kind in Northeast India and will cut travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati to under seven minutes. Advanced seismic safety features and real-time structural monitoring systems ensure long-term resilience in the earthquake-prone region. Officials highlighted that the project will improve regional mobility and trade and position Guwahati as a gateway hub for Northeast economic growth.

Modi also virtually inaugurated the temporary campus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Guwahati , the second IIM in the Northeast, and an AI-enabled National Data Centre for the region. The data centre will host mission-critical government applications and serve as a disaster recovery hub, reinforcing Assam’s push for higher education, research, and digital infrastructure.

The Prime Minister also flagged off electric buses for Guwahati, part of a broader clean mobility initiative to improve eco-friendly, reliable, and inclusive urban transport. The buses are air-conditioned, equipped with CCTV cameras, and accessible for Divyangs, ensuring safety, comfort, and inclusivity for citizens.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, has also approved India’s first twin-tube underwater road-cum-rail tunnel in Assam, between Gohpur and Numaligarh , at an estimated cost of ₹18,662 crore . The 33.7-km four-lane corridor , including a 15.79-km tunnel under the Brahmaputra , will drastically reduce travel time and improve freight efficiency, passenger movement, and trade. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh officials highlighted that the project will significantly boost connectivity to northeastern states, strengthen regional infrastructure, and support faster economic growth.

The visit, Modi’s third to Assam in three months, concluded with a public address to BJP booth-level workers , highlighting political momentum ahead of the state elections. State officials and law enforcement conducted extensive security and logistical planning, focusing on crowd management, traffic regulation, emergency response systems, and inter-agency coordination.