Srinagar: The Indian Air Force (IAF) are set to conduct a trial run on the 3.5 km-long emergency landing facility on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway at Bijbehara on Monday. The authorities have made elaborate arrangements by deploying security forces and installing technical equipment to ensure a smooth trial.
Security forces were deployed near the emergency landing facility, which stretches from km 246.200 to km 249.700 on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. In addition to robust security measures, radars and other technical equipment including CCTVs, were deployed around the site.
Health and fire services are currently on site and work has also started for clearing the motorway for the trial run. The trial is scheduled to take place during the night hours on Monday and vehicles on the national highway will be diverted accordingly. Sukhoi fighter jets and Tejas light combat aircraft are expected to take part in the trial.
Sukhoi is a multi-role combat aircraft of the IAF, capable of conducting air and ground operations. The aircraft has been inducted into the IAF in large numbers, and was involved in operations during the aerial skirmish with Pakistan in February 2019. The aircraft is manufactured in India under Russian licence. Tejas is an indigenous light combat aircraft that will replace the IAF’s ageing Mig-21 fighters.
Officials highlighted the multiple uses of the facility, especially in scenarios such as war, floods, NDRF rescue operations, airdrop of relief materials, transportation of stranded people and other emergency needs.
Construction of the facility began in 2020, with an allocated budget of Rs 119 crore. At the same time, the traffic department issued an advisory announcing a ban on heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) on the highway from 4am on Monday to 7am on Tuesday.
