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APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 30/06/2025

For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily Answer Writing is vital. This blog covers the most important Main question and its model Answer from the Assam Tribune today (30-06-2025).

📝 Mains Question:

Q. Emergency landing facilities on highways serve both civilian and strategic purposes. Examine their relevance in India’s northeastern region, and highlight the challenges in integrating civilian infrastructure with defence preparedness.

📘 Model Answer

Introduction

India’s growing emphasis on dual-use infrastructure is reflected in projects like the emergency landing facility near Moran, Assam, the first such initiative in the Northeast. These strips, built on highways, enable both civil and military aircraft to operate during crises, enhancing national security, disaster preparedness, and regional connectivity.

Significance in the Northeast

Dimension	Relevance
🛡️ Strategic Defence	Proximity to international borders (China, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh) demands rapid IAF deployment.
🌪️ Disaster Management	Northeast is prone to floods, earthquakes—air access helps rescue, relief, and evacuation.
🧑‍⚕️ Emergency Response	Can aid in medical evacuations and transporting aid to cut-off areas.
🌐 Regional Integration	Complements Act East Policy and multimodal connectivity in remote districts.
✈️ Aviation Inclusion	Facilitates temporary civilian flights where no airports exist (e.g., Lumding, Barama).

National Strategy Context

Bharatmala Pariyojana includes strategic road corridors
IAF Emergency Airstrip Program initiated post-2020 (Galwan context)
North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) supports such dual-purpose projects
First highway landing strip: NH-925A in Rajasthan (2021) used for IAF drill

Challenges in Implementation

Challenge	Explanation
🚧 Civilian Encroachment	Risk of shops, parked vehicles, or local misuse in peacetime
🛠️ Maintenance Complexity	Runway needs constant upkeep even when not in use
🤝 Coordination Issues	NHIDCL and IAF need joint SOPs, time-sharing plans
🌿 Environmental Impact	Clearing flat land in hilly, flood-prone areas can affect local ecology
💸 Cost Justification	High capital cost for facilities that may be rarely used

Way Forward

Strategy	Recommendation
📋 Protocol SOPs	Joint command drills for IAF–Civil Admin coordination
🧭 Site Selection Criteria	Should prioritize disaster-prone or security-sensitive zones
📡 Tech-Based Maintenance	Use of drones and sensors to monitor strip readiness
🧑‍✈️ Civil-Military Use	Use for NDRF, medical flights, NE border logistics during peacetime
📈 Public Awareness	Local campaigns to prevent misuse of the designated highway zone

Conclusion

Highway-based airstrips in Assam symbolize India’s evolving approach to resilient, multi-functional infrastructure. As Northeast India gains strategic and economic prominence, such facilities serve as a bridge between national security and inclusive development, provided they are backed by planning, precision, and public participation.

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