On Sept 9, Thursday, Defence minister Rajnath Singh along with Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Satta-Gandhav stretch on NH-925A near Barmer, Rajasthan.

Speaking at the event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the efforts of IAF, NHAI & the private sector for completing the construction of the Emergency Landing Field (ELF) in 19 months despite COVID-19 restrictions. He further said the landing of IAF aircraft on the 3 km stretch is a historic new strength of New India, as it coincides with the 75^th year of Independence and 50^th year of India’s victory in the 1971 war.

Apart from the Emergency Landing Strip, three helipads have been constructed in Kundanpura, Singhania & Bakhasar villages under this project as per the requirements of the Armed Forces, informed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This project will improve connectivity between villages of Barmer & Jalore districts located on the international border. The stretch located in the western border area will facilitate the vigilance of the Indian Army and strengthen the basic infrastructure of the country.

The NHAI has developed the three-kilometer section as an ELF for Indian Air Force. It is part of the newly-developed two-lane paved shoulder of Gagariya-Bakhasar & Satta-Gandhav Section having a total length of 196.97 kilometers and costing Rs 765.52 crore under Bharatmala Pariyojana. The work commenced in July 2019 and was completed in January 2021.