{"id":71423,"date":"2026-04-11T19:25:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T13:55:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=71423"},"modified":"2026-04-11T19:25:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T13:55:51","slug":"great-nicobar-master-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/11-04-2026\/great-nicobar-master-plan","title":{"rendered":"Draft Master Plan for Great Nicobar Island Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Infrastructure\/ Environment<\/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><strong>The draft master plan for developing the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) <\/strong>has proposed to focus on<strong> tourism as the \u201cprimary economic driver\u201d<\/strong> of growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Great Nicobar Island project<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The project received<strong> Stage-I clearance in 2022<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Implementing authority:<\/strong> The project is being implemented by the Port Blair-based Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Ltd <strong>(ANIIDCO).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Project involves <\/strong>developing an <strong>International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT)<\/strong>, an international airport, township development, and a<strong> 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant <\/strong>on the island.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The site for the ICTT and power plant is <strong>Galathea Bay<\/strong> on the southeastern corner of Great Nicobar Island, where there is no human habitation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>ANIIDCO is a quasi-government agency,<\/strong> incorporated in <strong>1988<\/strong> under the Companies Act.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Its objective<\/strong> is to develop and commercially exploit natural resources for the balanced and environment friendly development of the territory.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Its main activities<\/strong> include trading of petroleum products, Indian made foreign liquor and milk, managing tourism resorts and infrastructure development for tourism and fisheries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Highlights of the Draft Plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The plan has been drafted for a projected population o<strong>f 3.36 lakh by 2055.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>By that time, the master plan is expected to <strong>achieve an annual inflow of more than a million tourists.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It proposes a township divided into several clusters:<\/strong> an administrative and institutional cluster, a multi-modal logistic cluster (to include airport, port, freight and passenger terminals, defence area, and green development), and tourism clusters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The development will start with <strong>\u201canchor projects\u201d <\/strong>such as the International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP), the Great Nicobar International Airport, and the GNI gas and solar power plants from<strong> 2025 to 2029.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The second part of Phase 1 (2030-2035) <\/strong>is expected to see growth in tourism activity and upgraded infrastructure.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Phase 2 (2036-2041) <\/strong>envisages a phase of consolidation and enhanced growth of tourist traffic and the opening of opportunities for other potential economic drivers.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The last phase (2042-2047) <\/strong>has been earmarked for \u201cfuture development\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Concerns over the project<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ecological Fragility: <\/strong>Large-scale diversion of pristine tropical forests threatens a highly fragile island ecosystem with low carrying capacity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biodiversity Loss: <\/strong>Destruction of habitats may endanger endemic species.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Viability Concerns:<\/strong> Experts questioned the economic feasibility of the project, given the high costs and ecological sensitivity of the region.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indigenous Rights Violation: <\/strong>The project allegedly violates the rights of the <strong>Shompen<\/strong>, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) of hunter-gatherers. The disruption of their traditional lands and lifestyle raises human rights concerns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Volatile Zone:<\/strong> The proposed port is situated in a seismically active zone that experienced a significant geological event during the 2004 tsunami, leading to concerns about the safety and long-term stability of the infrastructure in such a location.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of the Project<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strategic Maritime Location: <\/strong>Its proximity to the Strait of Malacca enhances India\u2019s ability to monitor one of the world\u2019s busiest sea lanes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthening National Security: <\/strong>Development of dual-use infrastructure (port and airport) improves India\u2019s defence logistics, surveillance, and naval reach in the Indo-Pacific.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Global Trade Hub Potential: <\/strong>The transshipment port can reduce India\u2019s dependence on foreign ports (like Singapore\/Colombo) and position India as a major logistics hub.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Development of Island Region: <\/strong>Infrastructure, connectivity, and urban development can boost investment, employment, and tourism in the Andaman &amp; Nicobar region.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Blue Economy Promotion:<\/strong> It supports sustainable use of ocean resources such as shipping, fisheries, and marine-based industries, aligned with India\u2019s blue economy goals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regional Connectivity and Act East Policy: <\/strong>Enhances connectivity with Southeast Asia, reinforcing India\u2019s engagement under its Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Andaman and Nicobar Islands<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> The islands are located 1,300 km southeast of the Indian mainland in the Bay of Bengal.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This archipelago is composed of more than 500 big and small islands, which are divided into two distinct groups of islands \u2013 <strong>The Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u2018Ten Degree Channel\u2019<\/strong> separates the Andaman Islands in the north from the Nicobar Islands in the south.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e1e8e6\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-74-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-71424\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e1e8e6; width:475px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-74-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-74-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-74-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-74.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts Related to Andaman and Nicobar Islands<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Southernmost Island is Great Nicobar whose <strong>southernmost tip is only 150 km away from Sumatra, Indonesia.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The highest point is <strong>Saddle Peak<\/strong> in North Andaman (732 metre), <strong>Mount Thullier<\/strong> in Great Nicobar (642 metre).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pandunus or Nicobar Breadfruit<\/strong> is a rare fruit found in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Barren Island of the Andaman &amp; Nicobar<\/strong> Island group is the only confirmed active volcano not just in India but the whole of South Asia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indira Point in Great Nicobar <\/strong>is the Southern-most point of India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/energy-and-environment\/tourism-to-be-primary-economic-driver-of-growth-gni-draft-master-plan\/article70843480.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The draft master plan for developing the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) has proposed to focus on tourism as the \u201cprimary economic driver\u201d of growth. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Great Nicobar Island project <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The project received Stage-I clearance in 2022. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Implementing authority: The project is being implemented by the Port Blair-based Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Ltd (ANIIDCO). <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The Project involves developing an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), an international airport, township development, and a 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant on the island. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/11-04-2026\/great-nicobar-master-plan \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-71423","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71423","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\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71423"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71423\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":71426,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71423\/revisions\/71426"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71423"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71423"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71423"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}