The Great Nicobar Project is a large-scale infrastructure and development initiative planned by the Government of India in the Great Nicobar Island, part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.

🔹 Key Features of the Project

Transshipment Port

A deep-water international container transshipment terminal at Galathea Bay.

Capacity: ~16 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) per year by 2050.

Aims to compete with ports like Singapore and Colombo.

Airport Complex

A greenfield international airport, capable of handling both civilian and military flights.

Expected to cater to at least 4,000 passengers per hour.

Township Development

A modern greenfield township for around 3–4 lakh (300,000–400,000) people by 2050.

Includes housing, business hubs, and social infrastructure.

Power Plant

About 450 MVA capacity power plant to support the township, port, and airport.

Planned use of gas-based and renewable sources.

🔹 Objectives

Strengthen India’s maritime trade hub and reduce dependence on foreign transshipment ports.

Enhance strategic presence in the Indian Ocean, given proximity to Malacca Strait (a vital global shipping route).

Boost economic development in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Create jobs and modern infrastructure.

🔹 Concerns & Criticisms

Environmental Impact

Great Nicobar is an ecologically fragile region with dense tropical rainforests, mangroves, coral reefs, and endangered species (like leatherback turtles).

Project involves diversion of about 130 sq km of pristine forest land.

Indigenous Tribes

The island is home to Shompens and Nicobarese, classified as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Concerns about displacement, cultural erosion, and threats to their survival.

Geological Risks

Region lies in a seismically active zone, prone to earthquakes and tsunamis (2004 tsunami badly hit Nicobar).

Strategic Concerns

While strengthening India’s security, it could also invite greater geopolitical competition with China and other powers in the Indian Ocean.

🔹 Current Status (as of 2025)

The project has received environmental clearance with conditions, but it is facing legal and activist challenges due to ecological and tribal rights concerns.

Implementation is expected to be phased, starting with the transshipment port and airport construction.Source:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andaman-and-nicobar-islands/forest-rights-of-tribal-people-were-not-settled-for-nicobar-project-council/article69964782.ece