New Delhi, May 18: Concerns over environmental clearance, tribal rights compliance and the strategic justification of the Great Nicobar Island Project have been raised with the Defence Ministry, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh seeking a review of the project’s current framework.
In a letter addressed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 17, Ramesh questioned the basis on which the project has been cleared and defended, arguing that key aspects relating to ecological safeguards and legal provisions remain contested. The intervention comes amid ongoing debate over the large-scale infrastructure project proposed for Great Nicobar Island.
Ramesh stated that he had earlier written to the Union Ministers of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Tribal Affairs, raising concerns about the official position presented by the government. Referring to a press note issued by the Government of India on May 1 outlining frequently asked questions on the project, he alleged that the document presented an inaccurate account of environmental clearances.
According to his communication, the approvals granted for the project were based on “dubious grounds,” and the official clarifications did not reflect the actual regulatory process. He further claimed that the representation of compliance with the Forest Rights Act, 2006, was misleading and did not adequately account for the individual and community rights of tribal populations in the region.
The Congress leader argued that the project, while being presented as strategically important, is largely commercial in nature and has drawn criticism for its potential ecological impact. He noted that the justification of national security was being used to support components of the project that may not directly contribute to defence capabilities.
In his letter, Ramesh emphasised that strengthening national security remains essential but suggested that alternative infrastructure developments could achieve similar objectives with significantly lower environmental costs. He cited the existing INS Baaz facility at Campbell Bay, commissioned in 2012, where proposals to expand the runway and develop a naval jetty have been pending for several years.
He also referred to other defence assets under the Andaman and Nicobar Command, including INS Kardip, INS Kohassa, INS Utkrosh, INS Jarawa and the Car Nicobar Air Force Station, stating that these could be upgraded to enhance operational capacity without the scale of environmental disruption associated with the current project.
Ramesh further argued that key elements of the proposed development, including a transhipment port and a township, do not directly strengthen military capability, despite being cited under the strategic framework.
In concluding his communication, he described the project in its present form as a potential ecological risk and urged the Defence Ministry to examine alternative approaches that align defence preparedness with environmental and legal safeguards.
The Great Nicobar Island Project remains a subject of national discussion, balancing infrastructure expansion, environmental concerns and strategic considerations. The Defence Ministry has not issued a response to the letter so far.
