By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 3: Piped Natural Gas (PNG)—a safe, eco-friendly, and cost-effective fuel primarily composed of methane—will likely reach Shillong households and businesses by next year via underground pipelines.
The new system aims to largely replace conventional LPG cylinders. Officials revealed that the state is drafting a City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy to promote PNG and CNG adoption, including potential VAT reductions on natural gas to foster a gas-based economy.
Given Shillong’s hilly terrain and low awareness, the CGD/PNG entity targets covering over 10% of the city’s population in five years, benefiting around 50,000 families and 15,000 households.
The initiative ties into the Vision Document’s Gas Grid Project, linking the eight northeastern states to the National Gas Grid via the Barauni-Guwahati pipeline. From Guwahati, it extends to Numaligarh, Dimapur, Kohima, Imphal; Shillong, Silchar, Aizawl, Agartala; and Itanagar.
Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) has begun surveys in Shillong.
Extending the Northeast Gas Subsidy Scheme to Meghalaya will aid ferro alloy industries in Byrnihat and cement units in Jowai, cutting pollution. High electricity costs currently push industries out of state, but subsidised piped gas could retain jobs, boost PNG VAT and industrial tax revenues.
Industries in Byrnihat alone consume 500 MT/day of coal, FO, diesel, and husks. State figures show 6.5 lakh households, with about 2 lakh still relying on firewood, coal, or kerosene.
