Aizawl, Feb 13: Piped natural gas (PNG) is set to reach households in Mizoram by early 2028, with groundwork progressing under the Centre’s flagship energy expansion initiative.
Officials said the state capital Aizawl and the town of Mamit are expected to be the first beneficiaries once the distribution network becomes operational.
The 119.5-km gas pipeline being laid by Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) under the North East Natural Gas Pipeline project has achieved 45 per cent overall completion and is targeted for readiness by December 2027. The pipeline will integrate Mizoram into the broader national gas grid network.
Speaking at a sensitisation workshop on City Gas Distribution in Aizawl, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister B. Lalchhanzova said the pipeline up to Sihhmui in neighbouring Tripura is on track for completion by March 2027. Following this, Tripura Natural Gas Company Ltd (TNGCL) will begin developing the city gas distribution network to extend PNG supply to domestic and commercial consumers in Aizawl and Mamit.
Officials confirmed that after IGGL completes the pipeline up to Sihhmui, TNGCL will initiate consumer connections. The project is expected to become fully operational by early 2028.
The workshop, jointly organised by TNGCL and the state’s Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, examined the technical and economic aspects of PNG implementation. Lalchhanzova noted that Tripura has been using PNG for over 30 years and currently serves more than 60,000 consumers, including hotels and restaurants. He recently inspected gas infrastructure in Agartala to understand its operational framework.
TNGCL Managing Director Pralay Patra said the expansion aligns with the Centre’s target of increasing the share of natural gas in India’s energy mix to 15 per cent by 2030. He described natural gas as a cleaner alternative to conventional fuels and an important element of India’s energy transition strategy.
Gas supply to Mizoram will originate from the ONGC terminal in Tripura and pass through Kanhmun, Zawlnuam, Kawrtah, Tuidam and Darlawn before reaching Mamit. It will then extend towards Lengpui and terminate at the proposed Sihhmui receiving terminal, about 21 km from Aizawl. The pipeline will connect to Silchar in Assam, enhancing inter-state energy connectivity in the Northeast.
IGGL officials stated that welding work has reached 52 per cent completion, while pipe-lowering operations stand at 40 per cent, indicating steady physical progress. The rollout of PNG in Mizoram is expected to improve energy accessibility, reduce dependence on traditional fuels and support cleaner urban development in the state.
