{"id":47414,"date":"2025-07-09T19:25:42","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T13:55:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=47414"},"modified":"2025-07-21T16:21:51","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T10:51:51","slug":"great-nicobar-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/09-07-2025\/great-nicobar-project","title":{"rendered":"Great Nicobar Projects:\u00a0Strategic Imperatives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Government Policies and Interventions; GS3\/Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Great Nicobar Island<\/strong> has emerged as a focal point for India&#8217;s strategic and developmental ambitions, as the government pushes forward with a massive infrastructure overhaul.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Great Nicobar Project<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was <strong>piloted by NITI Aayog,<\/strong> has an estimated cost of \u20b972,000 crore, aims <strong>to balance development with environmental preservation.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It encompasses various components, including a transshipment port, an international airport, a power plant, and township development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e3e2db\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"978\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Great-Nicobar-Projects-Strategic-Imperatives-978x1024.png\" alt=\"great nicobar projects strategic imperatives\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-47419\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e3e2db; width:370px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Great-Nicobar-Projects-Strategic-Imperatives-978x1024.png 978w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Great-Nicobar-Projects-Strategic-Imperatives-286x300.png 286w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Great-Nicobar-Projects-Strategic-Imperatives-768x805.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Great-Nicobar-Projects-Strategic-Imperatives.png 1283w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 978px) 100vw, 978px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The goal is to tap into the largely unexplored potential of the island while preserving its natural ecosystem and rich biodiversity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strategic Significance of Great Nicobar Island<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Geopolitical Location:<\/strong> It is a part of the <strong>Andaman and Nicobar archipelago<\/strong>, located at the southernmost tip of India in the Bay of Bengal.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is near the <strong>Malacca Strait, a key maritime route<\/strong> that enhances India\u2019s maritime security and trade capabilities, and commanding position in the <strong>Indo-Pacific.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sabang in Indonesia<\/strong> is 90 nautical miles southeast of <strong>Indira Point (on Great Nicobar island)<\/strong>, and <strong>Coco Island in Myanmar<\/strong> is 18 nautical miles from the northernmost tip of the Andamans.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Military and Civil Infrastructure:<\/strong> The \u20b972,000 crore development plan includes an International Container Transshipment Terminal, a dual-use airport, military logistics bases, and surveillance infrastructure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regional Influence: <\/strong>The project aligns with <strong>India\u2019s Act East Policy<\/strong> and <strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) doctrine<\/strong>, countering China\u2019s growing naval presence in the Bay of Bengal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Infrastructure Overhaul and Military Preparedness:<\/strong> It includes revamped airfields and jetties; modern logistics and storage hubs; and establishment of a military base and surveillance network.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A particular focus is on <strong>Great Nicobar Island<\/strong>, where the project entails an <strong>International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT); a<\/strong> <strong>greenfield international airport; a<\/strong> new <strong>township; and solar-based power plants.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Concerns<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ecological Sensitivity and Indigenous Concerns:<\/strong> Potential harm to <strong>indigenous communities<\/strong>, especially the <strong>Shompen (a PVTG)<\/strong>, a largely uncontacted tribe;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The island hosts endangered species like the <strong>Nicobar megapode<\/strong> and <strong>leatherback turtles<\/strong>. Coral reefs and tropical rainforests are at risk due to deforestation and coastal development<strong>;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Risk to <strong>endangered species<\/strong>, including the <strong>Nicobar megapode<\/strong> and <strong>leatherback turtles;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transparency Deficit: <\/strong>The government has invoked national security to withhold environmental reports and deny RTI requests.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Questions raised in the Rajya Sabha were deflected under the pretext of sub judice status, undermining legislative accountability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Activists and experts argue that strategic development must not override democratic norms and ecological safeguards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Legal Red Flags: <\/strong>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/national-green-tribunal-ngt\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/national-green-tribunal-ngt\/\">National Green Tribunal<\/a> ordered a review of environmental clearances, but the High-Powered Committee\u2019s findings remain classified.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Disclose Key Reports: <\/strong>Make the <strong>High Powered Committee (HPC) <\/strong>findings public, with redactions only where national security is genuinely at stake.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Engage Stakeholders:<\/strong> Institutionalize consultations with tribal councils, environmental experts, and civil society.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthen Oversight:<\/strong> Empower parliamentary committees and independent bodies to monitor compliance and ecological impact.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Andaman and Nicobar Islands<\/strong><br><br>&#8211; <strong>Location<\/strong>: The islands are located 1,300 km southeast of the Indian mainland in the Bay of Bengal.<br>1. It extends from 6\u00b0 45\u2032 N to 13\u00b0 41\u2032 N and from 92\u00b0 12\u2032 E to 93\u00b0 57\u2032 E.<br>&#8211; This archipelago is composed of more than 500 big and small islands, which are divided into two distinct groups of islands \u2013 The Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands.<br>1. <strong>\u2018Ten Degree Channel\u2019<\/strong> separates the Andaman Islands in the north from the Nicobar Islands in the south.<br><strong>Andaman Islands<\/strong><br>&#8211; These are divided into <strong>three major sub-groups \u2013 North Andaman, Middle Andaman, and South Andaman.<\/strong><br>&#8211; Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands is located in South Andaman.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"486\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXfX8KMtlKkQWYl6wJjNZ0N0MdGrDO7ZnRFQJObZI4_Sup5BHA77U_AAG4HoF_AXiGumBLFDZJ-UWTmf8Ej43MVJJBqunqm9VF7G0Ct4TnIs4ytTTMup-i55n8kCY-UZzQ3N3PLx_Q?key=BoCcnPqEPMVEyLU9_O_EqQ\" alt=\"Andaman and Nicobar Islands\"><br><br><strong>Nicobar Islands<\/strong><br>&#8211; These islands are divided into three major sub-groups \u2013 Northern Group, Central Group, and Southern Group.<br>1. The Great Nicobar is the largest and the southernmost island in the group located in the Southern Group.<br>2. India\u2019s southernmost point <strong>\u2018Indira Point\u2019 <\/strong>is located at the southern tip of the Great Nicobar.<br><br><strong>Other Features<\/strong><br>&#8211; Most of these islands have a volcanic base and are made of tertiary sandstone, limestone, and shale.<br>1. The <strong>Barren and Narcondam islands,<\/strong> north of Port Blair, are volcanic islands.<br>2. Some of the islands are fringed with <strong>coral reefs.<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Saddle Peak (737 m)<\/strong> in North Andaman is the <strong>highest peak<\/strong> in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.<br>&#8211; The names of the following three islands were changed in 2018:<br>1. <strong>Ross Island <\/strong>\u2013 renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep<br>2. <strong>Neil Island <\/strong>\u2013 renamed as Shaheed Dweep<br>3. <strong>Havelock Island<\/strong> \u2013 renamed as Swaraj Dweep<br><strong>Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)<\/strong><br>&#8211; Great Andamanese of Strait Island;<br>&#8211; Onges of Little Andaman;<br>&#8211; Jarawas of South and Middle Andaman;<br>&#8211; Sentinelese of Sentinel Islands;<br>&#8211; Shompens of Great Nicobar;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Daily Mains Practice Question<\/strong><br><strong>[Q]<\/strong> To what extent do the strategic benefits of infrastructure development in Great Nicobar Island justify the concerns over environmental degradation and lack of governmental transparency?<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/editorials\/projects-in-great-nicobar-islands-have-strategic-importance-the-government-thus-must-address-transparency-concerns-10114579\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: IE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/UPSC-Editorial-Analysis-9-July-2025.PDF.pdf\">Download PDF<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Great Nicobar Island has emerged as a focal point for India&#8217;s strategic and developmental ambitions, as the government pushes forward with a massive infrastructure overhaul.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-editorial-analysis"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47414"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48774,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47414\/revisions\/48774"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}