Yamuna Expressway becomes India’s first road runway after IAF Mirage 2000 jet successfully lands

Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh had become India’s first road runway after Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage 2000 fighter jet successfully landed as part of trials to use national highways for emergency landing.
The first of its kind initiative in India’s aviation history took place on Yamuna Expressway near Mathura with active support from Uttar Pradesh government, Yamuna Expressway Authority.
It should be noted that Yamuna Expressway is the longest Greenfield expressway in the country.
Now, IAF is considering using national highways for emergency landing of aircrafts if an active airport is not available under certain circumstances.
For this IAF is planning to activate more such stretches on future road runway that have straight roads located at a non-undulating round without any slope and also free of waterlogging.
With this, India will join group of nations that have dedicated stretches on their expressways and highways for airplanes to land and take off in case of an emergency. They are Germany, Sweden, Poland, Taiwan, South Korea, Switzerland, Finland, Singapore and Pakistan.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2015