NewsGate Press Network

Once again the Indian Air Force (IAF) demonstrated its prowess of its multi-dimensional capabilities by practising landing take-off using the main Ganga Expressway as its regular air strip.

On Friday the 2nd of May 2025, IAF conducted a spectacular air show on the Ganga Expressway near Piru village in Jalalabad Tehsil of Shahjahanpur district in Uttar Pradesh.

Its frontline fighter jets Rafale and Sukhoi-30 MKI switched-on their after burners and roared on the tarmac of the Ganga Expressway which is normally used by highway motor traffic.

Apart from Rafales and Sukhois, the IAF also deployed MiG-29, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, AN-32, C-130J Super Hercules and MI-17 helicopters.

Local villagers and school children were specially invited to have a ringside view of the spectacular air force exercise.

The news agency UNI is reporting on its website that IAF also made arrangements for a live  commentary to explain their audience in simple communicative language the technical capabilities and strategic roles of each aircraft.
A major highlight of the event was a special night landing demonstration, held between 9 pm and 10 pm, underscoring the IAF’s advanced night operation capabilities.

This rare performance added to the spectacle, leaving spectators spellbound.
The venue, a specially constructed 3.5-kilometre-long airstrip on the Ganga Expressway, is designed for emergency landings and takeoffs by military aircraft, an important strategic asset for both defence and disaster response operations.
The 594-kilometre-long Ganga Expressway, which will connect Meerut to Prayagraj, is currently in its final phase of construction. Once operational, it is expected to significantly boost regional development and serve as a vital piece of national infrastructure.
The state government aims to inaugurate the Expressway by November 2025. The grand display of the IAF’s capabilities, set against the backdrop of one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, reinforced the country’s commitment to strengthening defence preparedness and enhancing connectivity.
Earlier, due to bad weather, the airshow, which was scheduled to begin at 9.30 am started at 12.47 pm during which the IAF, displaying its valour.

The Katra Jalalabad state highway was completely closed from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm for the night show.