Indradhanush Gas Grid Project in Tripura Faces Delays Amid Terrain and Land Issues

253 Km Pipeline Target Unlikely to Be Met by March​

Agartala, February 24: The target of laying a 253 kilometre-long gas pipeline in Tripura under the Indradhanush Gas Grid project is unlikely to be achieved by March this year, an official said on Tuesday, citing unavoidable challenges.

The pipeline is part of the larger Indradhanush Gas Grid initiative aimed at strengthening gas infrastructure across the Northeast. Once completed, the project is expected to enable the supply of CNG and LPG to various parts of Tripura.

170 Km Pipeline Completed Across Five Districts​

According to the official, 170 kilometres of the gas pipeline have been laid so far in districts including North Tripura, Dhalai, Unakoti, Khowai, and West Tripura.

In the second phase of the project, pipeline work will extend to Sepahijala and Gomati districts. Three companies are currently engaged in executing the pipeline laying works across the state.

Harsh Terrain and Heavy Rainfall Slow Down Execution​

The project has encountered significant logistical and environmental challenges. The official highlighted that difficult terrain and excessive rainfall have slowed down operations at multiple locations.

Heavy machinery required for pipe-laying cannot be transported easily to several sites due to the terrain. Work has also been severely disrupted during the monsoon season, further affecting progress.

Land Documentation Issues in TTAADC Region Impact Compensation​

Another major hurdle involves land acquisition in areas falling under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council region. Around 80 percent of the proposed pipeline alignment passes through this region, where many landholders do not possess formal ownership documents.

In the absence of proper documentation, landowners are unable to receive compensation for land acquisition. This has emerged as a key challenge in meeting project timelines.

The official said that efforts are underway in coordination with the local administration to ensure that landowners receive appropriate documentation for their plots so that compensation can be processed.

Gas Supply Currently Limited to Agartala​

At present, the supply of both CNG and cooking gas in Tripura is largely confined to Agartala due to the absence of a comprehensive gas grid network.

Completion of the Indradhanush Gas Grid pipeline in the state is expected to improve access to gas discovered in various locations and expand distribution beyond the capital city.

IGGL Joint Venture Driving Hydrocarbon Vision 2030​

The Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited was incorporated on August 10, 2018, as a joint venture promoted by Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, GAIL India Limited, Oil India Limited, and Numaligarh Refinery Limited.

The company was formed to implement the Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North-East India, with the objective of building critical gas infrastructure and enhancing energy accessibility across the region.