The Indian Air Force (IAF) on the night of May 2 carried out full-scale fighter jet landings on the under-construction Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh—marking India’s first ever night-time highway airstrip operation.
The drill, which unfolded on a specially fortified 3.5-kilometre stretch near Shahjahanpur, saw IAF combat aircraft taking off and landing between 7 PM and 10 PM using advanced night vision systems and precision lighting infrastructure, transforming a civilian expressway into a high-functioning military runway.The significance of this development stretches far beyond defence posturing. It places Uttar Pradesh—and India—at the cutting edge of integrating transport infrastructure with national security strategy, borrowing lessons from countries like Germany, China, and Sweden that have long adopted road-runway dual usage as part of wartime doctrine. The Ganga Expressway’s evolution from economic artery to strategic launchpad signals India’s deepening readiness for 24×7 air mobility in times of conflict or calamity.
Strategically timed after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives, the drill underscored the importance of decentralised air access points. With conventional air bases vulnerable to first-strike scenarios, road-based contingency airstrips offer the Indian military operational unpredictability, agility, and geographical flexibility—elements essential for modern asymmetrical warfare.But the spectacle was not confined to military eyes alone. Thousands of civilians—schoolchildren, villagers, and curious onlookers—lined the barricaded stretch, many waving flags as jets thundered overhead. For many, this was their first up-close encounter with India’s air power. Teachers at the scene noted its potential to awaken interest in defence careers among local youth, offering both inspiration and education.
Built with military-grade materials and engineering precision, the Shahjahanpur airstrip is now the fourth operational highway runway in the state, joining Unnao (Agra-Lucknow Expressway), Sultanpur (Purvanchal Expressway), and Etawah (Bundelkhand Expressway). However, it is the first in India equipped for night operations, a feature that significantly enhances its utility for round-the-clock mobilisation.To support such high-stakes operations, the airstrip zone is monitored by over 250 high-definition CCTV cameras feeding live visuals to joint control centres operated by IAF personnel and the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). During the drill, both the Indian Air Force and the Uttar Pradesh Police sealed off the zone to ensure maximum security and airspace control.
The Shahjahanpur runway has also triggered broader ambitions. State authorities have announced plans for an aerospace-industrial corridor in the region, envisioning a cluster of aviation training institutes, defence logistics parks, and component manufacturing units. This development aligns with India’s push towards decentralised, eco-efficient infrastructure and job creation in non-urban clusters.Moreover, the integration of civilian infrastructure with combat readiness aligns with broader sustainability goals. By optimising land usage and avoiding new greenfield defence construction, India is reducing the carbon and ecological footprint of its military preparedness model. If replicated across states, this could mark a paradigm shift in how India balances national security, economic development, and environmental responsibility.With the Shahjahanpur milestone, India has not just landed aircraft on asphalt—it has taken off into a future where highways could double up as lifelines during war, disaster, or rescue, all without compromising on sustainability or civilian utility.
Also Read : Pre-Monsoon Rains Set to Cool Mumbai
Fighter Jets Land on Expressway at Night
