AIZAWL: In a sharp retort to the Opposition’s allegations, the Mizoram government has firmly denied any plans to move the state capital from Aizawl to Thenzawl, branding the claims as a politically motivated misinterpretation stemming from a “clerical error” in a letter from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The clarification comes amid a heated political atmosphere where the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) accused Chief Minister Lalduhoma of orchestrating a secret move to his home constituency in Serchhip.
The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM)-led administration clarified that the confusion was sparked by a communication from the Union Ministry dated April 24, which, due to a “typographical error,” mistakenly mentioned “shifting of state capital from Aizawl to Thenzawl” in its subject line. The government stressed that the actual purpose of the letter was to sanction ₹10 crore for the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a separate initiative, the ‘Thenzawl Peace City’ project, and not a capital relocation scheme.
The Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department elucidated that the ‘Thenzawl Peace City’ is a long-term vision to develop Thenzawl into a self-sustaining urban centre capable of accommodating a population of up to 10 lakh, a project which the Chief Minister had openly discussed. The government’s statement was aimed at debunking the MNF’s claims, which had earlier pointed to the Centre’s letter as proof of a clandestine plan.
The MNF’s general secretary, Zodinpuia, had earlier ignited the controversy by alleging that the government was secretly lobbying the Centre for funds to facilitate the capital’s shift. The government, in its latest statement, reiterated that Aizawl remains the undisputed capital and no policy-level discussions have ever taken place to consider its relocation. Chief Minister Lalduhoma had publicly spoken about the ‘Thenzawl Peace City’ project as an ambitious urban expansion plan, a satellite township to ease pressure on Aizawl.
The project, which the Chief Minister discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 16th Finance Commission, aims to transform the scenic town of Thenzawl into a model urban hub. Located around 93 kilometres from Aizawl, Thenzawl falls under the Serchhip constituency, which the Chief Minister has represented in the Assembly. With this clarification, the government hopes to put an end to the political speculation and focus on its development agenda, stressing that urban development in Thenzawl is a priority, but it has nothing to do with shifting the capital.
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