Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island), April 27: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met representatives of The Wave Andaman during his visit to Swaraj Dweep on Sunday, with the Great Nicobar Island project among the issues discussed during the interaction.
Gandhi, who is on a three-day visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from April 26 to 28, is also expected to visit the Nicobar Islands during the trip. The visit comes after he met members of the Great Nicobar tribal council last month, who had invited him to the islands.
During the interaction in Havelock, Gandhi said the concerns around the Great Nicobar project required closer understanding and sustained attention. He indicated that if he is unable to visit Campbell Bay during his current trip, he may return to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to assess the issue on the ground.
Campbell Bay, located in Great Nicobar, has become central to the debate around the proposed project because of its proximity to the planned development and concerns raised by local and tribal representatives over land, ecology and long-term social impact.
The Great Nicobar project has drawn national attention because of its scale and strategic significance. The project includes plans for a transshipment port, airport, township and power infrastructure, and has been projected as a major maritime and logistics initiative in the Bay of Bengal.
However, the project has also faced criticism from opposition leaders, environmental groups and tribal representatives over its potential impact on the island’s ecology and indigenous communities, including the Nicobarese and Shompen tribes. Gandhi has earlier criticised the project, calling it a “misadventure” that tramples on tribal rights and legal processes.
During the Havelock interaction, Gandhi said he intended to follow developments related to the Great Nicobar project and understand the concerns being raised around it.
Gandhi also spent time in Swaraj Dweep during the visit and described the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as “remarkably beautiful,” while appreciating the region’s landscape and natural environment.
No formal announcement was made regarding any future visit or political action. However, Gandhi’s comments suggest that the Great Nicobar project could remain on his radar in the coming months.
