IAF fighter pilot lands jet on Yamuna Expressway

The aircraft landed at 6:40 am in <g data-gr-id="23">Karab</g> village, about 118 <g data-gr-id="27">milestone</g> away from the Zero point. Around 3am, the Air Force officials, in association with the district administrations, blocked the 165-kilometre carriageway.  

A stretch, falling under the jurisdiction of Mathura and Agra region, was cordoned off and all vehicular movement was stopped. About 2,500 policemen, along with Air Force team, were deployed on the expressway. An IAF helicopter took several rounds in the air. For Thursday’s trial, all facilities like make-shift Air Traffic Control, safety services, rescue vehicles, bird clearance parties and other requirements were set in place by the IAF.

The aircraft first made a practice approach on the highway coming down to 100 metres before 

landing on the next approach.

The Air Force statement said that the 165-kilometre, <g data-gr-id="33">six-lane</g> freeway is also crucial because of its proximity to the national capital. Aiming to consider <g data-gr-id="32">use</g> of national highways for emergency landing by fighter aircraft, the IAF has also <g data-gr-id="31">plans</g> to activate more such stretches on highways in the future. 

It has also been reported that the IAF has requested UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to ensure construction of 302-kilometre Agra-Lucknow expressway on lines of Air Force strip/runway so that  fighter planes could land.  There are plans to construct a 3.5-kilometre stretch on the Agra-Lucknow expressway, which will be equipped with folding devices that can be used during emergency landings.