IAF to stage three-day display at Namo Ghat; main show on October 25
Varanasi is set to witness an unprecedented aerial spectacle as the Indian Air Force (IAF) brings 100 aircraft to the sky for a three-day air show along the Ganga, officials said. The principal display will be held on October 25 at Namo Ghat, an event the Centre says will mark the 94th anniversary of the IAF.
The fleet assembled for the programme comprises 52 fighter aircraft, 32 helicopters, 15 transport planes and a single heritage aircraft, the IAF said. Aircraft will operate from 12 airbases across the country, the most distant being the naval base at Arakkonam near Chennai.
- Fighter types named for the display include Rafale, Sukhoi and the indigenous Tejas.
- Helicopter types cited include Apache and Chinook, and the Sarang team will fly Dhruv ALH helicopters.
- Official aims are public outreach and encouraging youth to consider careers in the armed forces.
Programme, participants and official rationale
The show has been titled "Wings Over Ganges". It will feature formations flying over the river, with aerobatic and helicopter display teams among the participants. The Surya Kiran aerobatic team and the Sarang helicopter display team are scheduled to perform alongside single‑ship and formation passes by platforms that include Tejas and the attack helicopter Prachand.
Air Vice Marshal PVS Narayana outlined two objectives for the event: public outreach to familiarise citizens with the Air Force's operations and technology, and to inspire young people to join the armed services — the Air Force, the Army or the Navy.
"The show is intended both as an outreach activity and as a means to encourage youth to consider careers in the defence services," the IAF officer said, according to the event statement.
Local preparations and civic measures
Authorities are making specific arrangements to manage what they expect will be very large crowds. Earlier reporting put three‑day attendance estimates in the range of 20 lakh to 30 lakh visitors. To lower safety risks from potential bird strikes, the city administration has imposed a temporary prohibition on the sale and slaughter of meat, fish and poultry within 30 km of the venue from October 19.
Further local measures reported include the closure of Rajghat bridge and suspension of some boat services on the Ganga for the duration of the performances. The Surya Kiran team is expected to operate from Varanasi airport, while other aircraft will launch from nearby districts and the 12 participating bases.
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Fighter aircraft | 52 |
| Helicopters | 32 |
| Transport aircraft | 15 |
| Heritage plane | 1 |
Impact on the city and considerations for residents
The scale of the event and the projected visitor numbers will have implications for traffic, public transport and river services in Varanasi. Residents and commuters should expect diversions and restrictions near Namo Ghat and adjoining riverfront areas during the three days of the programme. Those planning to travel by boat should note the reported suspension of some services and the temporary closure of Rajghat bridge during aerial displays.
Security and crowd management will be key priorities for civic agencies as well as the IAF. The event also represents a rare opportunity for Varanasi residents to witness a major defence display on their riverfront, an occurrence the Air Force has not staged on the Ganga in the city before.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the main display on October 25, the organisers said. The event coincides with the IAF's annual celebration of its raising; the service traces its origin to October 1932 and observes Air Force Day each year.
