What is Great Nicobar Project? Why is it so important? Modi Govt hits back at Rahul Gandhi’s allegations, says ‘Critics suffering from…
The Indian government has defended the Rs 81,000-crore Great Nicobar Islands project, calling it vital for national security and maritime strategy, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused it of benefiting private interests at the expense of ecology. The project includes a civilian-naval airport, transshipment port, power plant, and township, with critics dismissing claims of strategic necessity as misleading.
India’s Central government has dismissed criticism of the Rs 81,000-crore Great Nicobar Islands (GNI) project, emphasizing its strategic importance for national security, maritime dominance, and economic growth. The project, located in the Andaman Sea near critical global shipping routes, will feature a civilian-cum-naval airport, an international container transshipment port (ICTP), a power plant, and a township. A defense ministry source stated the initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign transshipment ports and enhance India’s operational outreach, comparing its potential to Singapore’s infrastructure development. Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of deceit, claiming the project prioritizes private interests—such as hotels and casinos—over the island’s irreplaceable ecology. In a video released in late April, Gandhi urged support for a petition opposing the project, framing it as a choice between environmental conservation and corporate greed. The airport, funded jointly by the defense ministry (Rs 13,000 crore) and civil aviation ministry, will initially handle 1.35 million passengers annually by 2040. Its location, just 40 nautical miles from major East-West shipping lanes, will bolster maritime domain awareness, a capability existing defense facilities cannot fully provide. The project excludes the INS Baaz naval runway, whose expansion would require land reclamation, potentially harming tribal lands and biodiversity. Critics argue the project threatens Great Nicobar’s fragile ecosystem, while supporters highlight its role in securing India’s strategic interests in Southeast Asia. The government insists the initiative aligns with global maritime hub models, positioning India as a key player in regional logistics and defense.
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