Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted operations on an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) airstrip situated on National Highway 16 near Addanki in Bapatla district on March 18, 2024. This activation highlighted the seamless coordination between various civil agencies including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), district administration, state police, and the IAF.
During the activation, Su-30 and Hawk fighters executed successful overshoots, while An-32 and Dornier transport aircraft performed landings and subsequent takeoffs from the strip. The 4.1 km long and 33 m wide concrete airstrip, constructed by NHAI according to IAF specifications, has significantly bolstered emergency response capabilities in the region.
This airstrip, recently operationalized in peninsular India, emphasizes the importance of ELF highway airstrips in facilitating air operations during contingencies and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations in remote areas.
The collaboration between IAF and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) highlights the ongoing efforts to create ELF infrastructure at strategic locations across the country to enhance national security and response capabilities during emergencies.
