Rajnath, Gadkari Land on a Rajasthan Highway in Aircraft, Inaugurate Project
A C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft carrying Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief RKS Bhadauria, landed at the Emergency Landing Field (ELF) on the national highway near Jalore in Rajasthan on Thursday, 9 September.
The union ministers inaugurated the facility on NH-925A at the Gandhav Bhakasar section in Barmer. Along with the IAF chief, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, was also present at the event.
#WATCH | C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari & Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria onboard lands at Emergency Field Landing at the National Highway in Jalore, Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/BmOKmqyC5u
— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2021
#WATCH | In a first, Jaguar aircraft carries out a touch and go landing at the emergency landing field on the national highway in Jalore, Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/e2FIPHUUa2
— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2021
An official statement earlier said this is the first time that a national highway will be used for emergency landing by IAF.
During the demonstration, the Sukhoi SU-30 MKI and the Jaguar aircraft also landed at the ELF on the highway.
आज एक ऐतिहासिक दिन है। राजस्थान में NH 925A पर बने आपातकालीन लैंडिंग सुविधा का लोकार्पण रक्षा मंत्री श्री @rajnathsingh जी, जलशक्ति मंत्री श्री @gssjodhpur जी, चीफ़ ऑफ़ डिफ़ेन्स स्टाफ़ जनरल बिपिन रावत जी और एयर चीफ़ मार्शल श्री आर. के. एस भदौरिया जी की उपस्थिति में किया। pic.twitter.com/8Pq5NlN0b6
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) September 9, 2021
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh & @MORTHIndia Shri @nitin_gadkari travelled to Barmer on C-130J to inaugurate the Emergency Landing Facility on Satta-Gandhav stretch of NH-925A. pic.twitter.com/d3fJH7fwAq
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) September 9, 2021
'India Always Prepared To Defend Its Unity, Integrity and Sovereignty': Rajnath Singh
Speaking after the demonstration, Rajnath Singh was quoted as saying, "Having an emergency landing field so close to the international border shows that India is always prepared to defend its unity, integrity and sovereignty. It shows that India is capable to deal with any challenge."
The work for emergency landing field was completed in 19 months by GHV India Private Limited. Apart from this emergency landing field, three helipads of size have also been set up in Kundanpura, Singhania, and Bhakhasar villages as per the requirements of the air force and army, according to the official statement.
""This emergency landing field and the three helipads will not only be useful in the time of war but to carry out rescue and relief operations during any natural disaster... The National Highways Authority of India is preparing emergency landing fields at 20 locations and also constructing helipads at many locations. This is a great feat."" - Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, as quoted by ANI
Also Read: India Approves Procurement of 56 Transport Aircraft for IAF From Airbus Defence
(With inputs from ANI, PTI and IANS.)
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