The grey hull of the Indian Air Force’s C-130 Super Hercules transport plane got here down from a cloudy sky because it landed in a village referred to as Agrawa in Rajasthan, barely 50 kilometers from the border with Pakistan. Running by means of the village is a newly inaugurated part of National Highway 925, which connects the cities of Barmer and Jalore.
On the C-130 had been Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who stepped onto the 3-km stretch of NH925 on which the jet first landed.
Speaking on the occasion, Defense Minister Singh stated that “by creating an emergency landing strip so close to the border, we have sent a message that India will defend its integrity and sovereignty at all costs”.
“The creation of this emergency landing field also generates enthusiasm in the mind, as well as a confidence about the security of the country. So today is a special day for all of us.” Singh stated. “By building this area a few steps before the international border, we have proved how prepared we are to defend national security,” he stated.
#Watch | For the primary time ever, Jaguar plane makes contact and go touchdown at emergency touchdown subject on National Highway in Jalore, Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/e2FIPUUa2
— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2021
He stated that this three-km stretch was constructed amid the COVID pandemic and was accomplished in simply 19 months. Singh talked about that “the freeway and touchdown space, together with infrastructure on the western border of the nation, will additional strengthen safety. Not solely our nationwide safety, however on the similar time it would play an necessary position throughout pure calamities as effectively.”
In 2016, he stated, “Our authorities had recognized 29 spots throughout the nation by forming an inter-ministerial committee for such emergency touchdown areas. 11 of those spots are on the nationwide freeway.
While Singh talked about throughout his speech that 20 such areas are being ready, NHAI officers talked about that the quantity is definitely 28.
“Till some time ago it was believed that if too much money is spent on defence, it will have an adverse effect on development,” he stated. But by constructing such emergency touchdown fields on roads and highways, he stated, we’ve got proved that “defense and development complement each other”.
Half an hour after the C130 landed, three cupboard ministers, Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, landed a Sukhoi-30 fighter jets on the identical stretch, demonstrating the flexibility to carry out the duty. . A distant base for quite a lot of army plane.
This strip of Barmer district, constructed at a value of Rs 43 crore, is the primary of 28 such areas being constructed by NHAI throughout the nation, on which army plane can land and take off. While the Air Force has demonstrated its skill to make use of the expressway for emergency use, these examples solely included touch-and-go workouts.
Apart from the touchdown facility, the NHAI has additionally constructed three helipads on the freeway, near the Pakistan border, which will probably be utilized by the armed forces.
Specifically constructed to function a runway for army plane and to function an emergency airbase, comparable to emergency touchdown strips. This offers the Air Force higher flexibility of operations to move troops and materials throughout each peace and warfare. This not solely enhances the operational functionality of the Air Force, but additionally reduces its reliance on standard bases.
By touchdown its fighter jets, transport plane and helicopters, the Air Force demonstrated its operational preparedness in the course of the train.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
