Great Nicobar Row Intensifies as Congress Seeks Parliamentary Debate

The political heat around the Great Nicobar Island Development Project has intensified, with the Congress demanding a full debate in Parliament and accusing the government of being in “damage control mode” after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to the island.

In a sharp statement, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised concerns over ecology, tribal rights, transparency, and security , arguing that the Centre’s clarification has failed to address serious issues flagged by experts, local communities, and environmental groups.

A major concern highlighted is the project’s impact on the fragile ecosystem of Great Nicobar . The Congress said the government’s claim that only a small portion of land is being used is “misleading” , as it ignores the island’s unique ecological importance. Special emphasis was placed on Galathea Bay , described as an ecologically sensitive zone with extensive coral colonies and a key nesting site for the endangered Giant Leatherback turtle .

The party also questioned the environmental clearance process , alleging possible conflict of interest involving institutions engaged in assessments and later linked to project-related work. It further claimed that some independent institutions critical of the project have been blacklisted , raising concerns over transparency and fairness.

On the issue of tribal rights , the Congress said the Nicobarese community and the Shompen tribe , a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, face serious risks. It pointed out that the Nicobarese had earlier withdrawn consent for forest diversion, alleging they were pressured and not fully informed about the extent of impact. Questions were also raised on how informed consent was obtained from the largely uncontacted Shompen community.

The party further flagged doubts over the project’s scale, noting that the proposed international airport capacity of 10 million passengers annually appears highly inflated compared to current regional usage.

While the government maintains that the project is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening India’s presence in the Andaman Sea with sustainable development safeguards, the opposition has questioned the lack of transparency in key reports and clearances.

The Congress also challenged attempts to link the project with national security , arguing that development plans involving a township, tourism infrastructure, and a transshipment terminal should be separately evaluated .

Calling for accountability, the party reiterated that such a large-scale project with ecological and social implications must be openly debated in Parliament .