Assam's Highway to Progress: NH-37 Expansion on Track

The four-lane expansion of the Numaligarh-Dibrugarh stretch of NH-37 in Assam is set for completion by 31 December 2025, with a landmark inauguration ceremony planned for January 2026.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the event will feature the first-ever landing of an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft in the state on a newly built Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) at Moran — a 3.5-km stretch of the Moran bypass, approximately 40 km from Dibrugarh. The ELF will serve both as a strategic military asset for emergency IAF landings and a critical disaster response hub for the region.

Part of the Guwahati-Dibrugarh high-speed corridor, this infrastructure initiative aims to significantly enhance road connectivity across Upper Assam. Despite earlier delays, construction is now steadily advancing toward the completion deadline.

The ELF is designed to handle various IAF aircraft, including Sukhoi fighter jets, Tejas, Hercules, and Antonov AN-32 planes, enabling swift deployment during natural disasters or security emergencies. During such events, regular traffic will be temporarily suspended to convert the highway segment into a functional airstrip.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.