A Major Hub For Maritime And Air Connectivity, Says PM Modi On Great Nicobar

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the significance of the Great Nicobar Island Project, underlining the strategic advantages it will bring to the Indian Ocean region.

The ambitious initiative has faced strong opposition from Congress, which has called it a ‘major threat’ to the region’s ecological balance.

The Prime Minister described the initiative as one of strategic, defence, and national importance. He stated that it will transform Great Nicobar into a key hub for maritime connectivity. In addition, PM Modi said it will enhance air connectivity in the Indian Ocean Region.

The Prime Minister’s Office shared an article on the social media platform written by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.

Taking to X, the PMO posted, “Union Minister Shri @byadavbjp 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.”

Bhupender Yadav, Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, penned the article in a leading daily. He detailed the advantages of the Great Nicobar Island Project. Additionally, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to balancing the economy and ecology.

“The decision to develop Great Nicobar Island has been taken after due consideration of its ecological, social and strategic aspects,” he posted on X, sharing a detailed explainer of the project.

The Great Nicobar Island Project includes an international container transhipment terminal (ICTT) with a capacity of 14.2 million TEU. It will also feature a greenfield international airport. The project plans a 450 MVA gas- and solar-based power plant. In addition, the project plans a township covering 16,610 hectares.

Yadav emphasised that the project will not affect tribal communities, local wildlife, or the island’s ecological sensitivity, addressing opposition concerns.

A few days ago, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi wrote a column highlighting the Great Nicobar Island Project. She warned that it endangers ‘one of the world’s most unique flora and fauna ecosystems’. She also said the area is highly susceptible to natural disasters.

“The totally misplaced Rs 72,000 crore expenditure poses an existential danger to the Island’s indigenous tribal communities,” she further noted.

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