Sultanpur

The Indian Air Force on Wednesday began a two-day exercise involving fighter aircraft operations on an emergency airstrip along the Purvanchal Expressway in Sultanpur.

The drill is being conducted at the Arval-Kiri Karwat Airstrip, where fighter jets are carrying out touch-and-go manoeuvres. Officials said the exercise is aimed at strengthening preparedness to use highways as alternative runways during emergencies.

An air traffic control system has been set up near the expressway to coordinate aircraft movement during the operations.

Local authorities tightened security around the site and urged residents to stay at a safe distance and ignore rumours. The exercise also drew public interest, with many locals gathering to watch fighter jets operate up close.

Officials said traffic on a 12-km stretch of the expressway has been diverted as a precaution until May 1 and will resume from May 2 after the exercise ends.

Similar drills have been held earlier, including in June 2023 when Sukhoi fighter aircraft and Mirage fighter aircraft carried out touch-and-go landings on the 3.2-km airstrip.

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The expressway was also used during its inauguration in November 2021 by Narendra Modi, when fighter jets and a C-130 Hercules aircraft landed there.