New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav today strongly backed the Greater Nicobar Island Project, terming it a matter of “national importance,” amid criticism by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, who has described the initiative as a “misadventure” that should be scrapped.
Without directly naming the Congress leader, PM Modi shared an article penned by Minister Yadav on his social media platform X, stating that the project will “transform the region into a major hub of maritime and air connectivity in the Indian Ocean region.”
Modi said, “Union Minister Bhupender Yadav explains that the Great Nicobar Island Project, which is of strategic, defence and national importance, transforms the region into a major hub of maritime and air connectivity in the Indian Ocean Region. He highlights it as a prime example of economy and ecology complementing each other.”
Earlier this week, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had authored a hard-hitting article in a leading national publication, describing the Project as a “misadventure, trampling on tribal rights and making a mockery of legal and deliberative processes.”
In her article, the Congress leader highlighted what she termed as the injustices inflicted on the people of Nicobar and the fragile ecosystem of the region due to the project.
Sonia Gandhi’s remarks found support from the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
In response, the Environment Minister provided a detailed explanation of the strategic and ecological importance of the project, aiming to clarify the concerns and set the record straight. “It is an ambitious project with an integrated development plan that comprises an international container transhipment terminal (ICTT) with a capacity of 14.2 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit), a greenfield international airport, a 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant, and a township spread over 16,610 hectares.”
He emphasised that the project is of “strategic, defence and national importance” and will position Great Nicobar as a key maritime and air connectivity hub in the Indian Ocean Region.
Addressing environmental concerns, Yadav said, “Before the project was given the green signal, detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies were carried out, and an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) was prepared, including mitigation measures to minimise impact during construction and operation.”
He added, “The commitment to environment and wildlife conservation is reflected in the release of Rs 81.55 crore to various research institutes for wildlife conservation plans, even before construction commenced.”
On tribal welfare, the Minister assured that “the project will not displace the Nicobarese and the Shompen tribes.” He stated, “The only habitation of the Shompens or the Nicobarese in the project area is at New Chingen, Rajiv Nagar, and the administration is not proposing displacement of any tribal habitations.” A dedicated committee has been mandated under the Environmental Clearance (EC) conditions to oversee welfare and address tribal issues during the project’s phases.
Asserting that the development plan aligns with the Shompen Policy, and relevant consultations with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Directorate of Tribal Welfare, and Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) have been carried out in full compliance with policy mandates, Yadav said, “due consultation with tribal experts, including the Anthropological Survey of India, has been conducted to ensure the safety, protection, welfare and well-being of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).”
The administration has also made “adequate budgetary provisions for tribal welfare throughout the project period and beyond.”
The Minister also sought to clarify that “This project affects only about 2% of the total area of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Compensatory afforestation will be undertaken outside the union Territory, in accordance with Forest Conservation Act guidelines.”
Regarding forest land diversion, Yadav said, “The total estimated number of trees in 130.75 sq. km of forest land to be diverted is 18.65 lakh, with a maximum of 7.11 lakh trees to be felled in the first phase. An area of 65.99 sq. km will be retained as green cover with no tree felling.”
On wildlife protection, the Minister outlined that safe wildlife corridors have been planned at eight locations along the eastern side of the island to facilitate the movement of arboreal animals, snakes, crabs and crocodiles between forests and the seashore.
“The Narendra Modi government remains committed to the welfare of tribal communities, environmental safeguards, and sustainable development,” Yadav affirmed, reiterating the project as “a significant example of economy and ecology complementing each other.”
He concluded saying, “It combines economic growth, infrastructure development, employment generation and national security imperatives, contributing to India’s long-term strategic interests in the Indian Ocean Region while protecting the environment.”
