Overview
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh rejecting the claim that the Great Nicobar Island Project is a vital strategic initiative. Ramesh argues that the scheme is essentially a commercial venture and that the strategic justification is being fabricated.
Key Developments
- Ramesh’s July 25, 2026 letter points out that the trans‑shipment port at Galathea Bay forms about 50% of the project’s budget, making it commercial “by definition”.
- The dual‑purpose airport occupies only 5% of the 166 sq. km land and 10% of the total cost, contradicting the claim of overall strategic importance.
- The Draft Master Plan 2047 envisions cruise tourism, casinos, theme parks and a finance hub, resembling a real‑estate project.
- Ramesh suggests expanding the existing INS Baaz would have lower environmental and social costs than building a new airport.
- Seven concerns remain unaddressed, including felling of two forest‑covered hills, loss of Shompen tribe land, and disturbance of international bird flyways.
- Ramesh questions the confidentiality of the National Green Tribunal (NGT)-appointed High‑Powered Committee report and urges consultation with retired naval officers.
Important Facts
- Ramesh has written to four Union Ministers (Environment, Tribal Affairs, Ports, and Defence) over two years; three have replied.
- Minister Singh’s July 17, 2026 response emphasized proximity to vital Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC) as a strategic advantage.
- Singh argued that a brownfield expansion of INS Baaz was unsuitable due to heavy land reclamation and tribal displacement.
- The Minister maintains that all statutory clearances have stringent safeguards and that the NGT found no ground for interference.
Exam Relevance
This dispute touches upon several UPSC syllabus areas: environmental governance (NGT, EIA), strategic geography (SLOC, maritime security), tribal welfare (Shompen tribe, Ministry of Tribal Affairs), and public policy & planning (large‑scale infrastructure projects, inter‑ministerial coordination). Candidates should analyse the balance between national security imperatives and sustainable development, and the role of parliamentary oversight.
Way Forward
- Conduct an independent strategic‑environmental audit that weighs defence benefits against ecological and tribal costs.
- Consider a phased brownfield upgrade of INS Baaz while preserving forest cover and tribal lands.
- Ensure transparency of the NGT committee report and involve civil society in decision‑making.
- Align the Draft Master Plan 2047 with national security objectives without compromising environmental sustainability.