IAF's C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft landed at Rajasthan's emergency landing field. Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and the facility. They also witnessed the mock drill. NH-925 is India's first national highway to be used for emergency landing of IAF aircraft.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari & Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria landed during the demonstration on the national highway in Rajasthan's Barmer district aboard the C-130 J Super Hercules aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
A Hercules C-130J plane of the IAF, carrying the two ministers and Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, conducted a mock emergency landing on the national highway on Thursday. NH-925 is India's first national highway to be used for emergency landing of IAF aircraft.
The two ministers also witnessed multiple aircraft operations on the emergency landing facility (ELF) of NH-295 on Thursday.
"The first aircraft to land during the demonstration would be the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria inside it," said Indian Air Force.
Rajnath Singh during inauguration said, "You must have seen tractors, bullock carts moving on the road and now you see aircraft landing on the road. The preparation of such a strip just a few meters away from the international border proves that we are ready and capable of protecting ourselves. We are moving fast towards an India and a strong India.”
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Almost, Rs 33 crores has been spent in making this airstrip. About 12 such highways are being built in the country in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Transport. Parking has also been created at both ends of the runway, so that planes can be parked after landing. There is also an air traffic control building.