THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Why Modi's Great Nicobar Project is a Recipe for Disaster 700 miles from the Indian mainland and scattered across the Bay of Bengal near the mouth of the Strait of Malacca lie India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The archipelago is known for its rich biodiversity, which includes nine National Parks, 96 wildlife sanctuaries and a major UNESCO-recognized Biosphere Reserve — the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve. This island chain is now at the center of a controversy. The fragile ecosystem and biosphere of the Great Nicobar island, in particular, is in danger of being wiped out by the Narendra Modi-led government’s plans to “develop” the island chain via the Great Nicobar Project. Proposed in 2021, themassive infrastructural projectpegged at a cost of around $7.5 million involves the construction of an international airport, a trans-shipment port, and a township. In its draft plan for the island, thegovernmentexplicitly states that the project will see the Nicobar Island emerge as a major tourism and entertainment hub. Environmentalists, anthropologists and opposition leaders have slammed the government on the project. The southernmost Great Nicobar island, with its rare coral ree…

Great Nicobar Project is development, not destruction: Government to ... The government on Friday strongly rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that the proposedGreat Nicobar infrastructure project is a "crime against nature", asserting that it is a project of "strategic national importance" aimed atstrengthening India’s maritime, economic and security footprintin the Indo-Pacific region. In a detailed clarification issued after Gandhi’s remarks on Wednesday, the Union Ministry of Environment saidthe project, planned at Campbell Bayin theAndaman and Nicobar Islands, has been designed to balance development with ecological safeguards and protection of indigenous communities. Gandhi had described the project as "one of the biggest scams and gravest crimes against the natural and tribal heritage of the country". He alleged that the development would lead to the felling of millions of trees across 160 sq km of pristine rainforest, calling it "destruction dressed in development’s language". Responding to the criticism, the ministry said the Great Nicobar Project aims to transform the island into a key maritime and economic hub, leveraging its proximity of about 40 naut…

Jairam Ramesh urges Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to reconsider Great ... ANI12 Jun 2026, 10:34 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Friday wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, urging him to reconsider the proposed greenfield airport at Gandhi Nagar-Shastri Nagar in Great Nicobar Island, citing severe ecological and social impacts. Congress General Secretary (In-charge of Communication) continued to raise strong objections to the Great Nicobar Island mega infrastructure project, flagging that 'serious and systematic environmental impact' and accusing the government of bypassing comprehensive environmental assessment norms. In his detailed letter, Ramesh referred to his earlier communication dated May 16, 2026, where he had suggested that 'in order to minimise its adverse ecological impacts and also meet strategic objectives, the expansion of the existing runway at INS Baaz on Campbell Bay could be considered as an alternative to building a greenfield airport at Gandhi Nagar-Shastri Nagar area of Great Nicobar Island.' He also highlighted media reports from June 8, 2026, quoting 'Defence Ministry sources' that the runway expansion at INS Ba…

Great Nicobar project: Jairam Ramesh flags non-transparency in latest letter to Environment Minister The Congress on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) had attacked the government over the project, saying the transshipment port on Galathea Bay is a recipe for ecological havoc and would lead to large-scale destruction of coral colonies.

Jairam Ramesh writes to Sarbanand Sonowal, seeks clarifications on ... ANI Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has questioned Union Minister Sarbanand Sonowal about the Great Nicobar Island project's transhipment port, seeking details on tender timelines and private ownership. New Delhi: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh , who has been raising concerns over the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) project, has written a letter to Union minister Sarbanand Sonowal , seeking clarifications on the development of a transhipment port under the project. In his letter to the ports, shipping and waterways minister, Ramesh urged him to share the details of the timeline for the floating of tenders to invite private participation for the development of the International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay , Great Nicobar Island, and the final selection of the private co-owner and operator for the venture. Read more: Congress makes strong pitch for making right to vote a fundamental right Ramesh also asked whether 100 per cent private shareholding will be allowed since the minimum private shareholding is set at 55 per cent. Or is there a minimum shareholding by public entities as well, he questione…

PM Modi marching to 'environmental disaster' in Great Nicobar: Congress The nation's ecological conscience is on trial, says Congress leader Jairam Ramesh while raising concerns over the Great Nicobar Project.

ANI17 Jun 2026, 18:03 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI): Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday slammed the Centre over the proposed transshipment port on Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Island, alleging that the project would lead to large-scale ecological damage. He also flagged concerns over the destruction of coral colonies, while questioning the implementation and transparency of the project. In a post on X, Congress leader wrote, 'The transhipment port on Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar will, in all probability, be part of the Modani empire. It is a recipe for ecological havoc, one example (and only one example) of which will be the large-scale destruction of coral colonies.' https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/2067137268272546090?s=20 'Nowhere in the world has relocation on such a scale proposed as a mitigation measure worked. Scientists should have the courage of their conviction--not of their political bosses bulldozing this project through,' the post read. His remarks come amid his continued opposition to the Great Nicobar Island Project, which he has repeatedly described as environmentally damaging and procedurally flawed. On Friday, Ramesh wrote t…

Jairam Ramesh Writes to Sonowal, Seeks Clarifications on Great Nicobar ... Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, has written a letter to Union minister Sarbanand Sonowal, seeking clarifications on the development of a transhipment port under the project Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who has been raising concerns over the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) project, has written a letter to Union minister Sarbanand Sonowal, seeking clarifications on the development of a transhipment port under the project. In his letter to the ports, shipping and waterways minister, Ramesh urged him to share the details of the timeline for the floating of tenders to invite private participation for the development of the International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay, Great Nicobar Island, and the final selection of the private co-owner and operator for the venture. Ramesh also asked whether 100 per cent private shareholding will be allowed since the minimum private shareholding is set at 55 per cent. Or is there a minimum shareholding by public entities as well, he questioned further. "I am writing to you as one among the very large number of people concerned with the ecological devastation …

Congress urges Rajnath to revisit INS Baaz decision, flags ecological risks Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has renewed his attack on the Centre's ambitious Great Nicobar Island Project, urging defence minister Rajnath Singh to reconsider the reported decision against a full expansion of the INS Baaz runway and warning that the proposed greenfield airport could inflict irreversible ecological and social damage on one of India's most fragile island ecosystems. In a letter to Singh on Friday, the former Union environment minister argued that expanding the existing runway at INS Baaz in Campbell Bay would be a less destructive alternative to constructing a new civilian-cum-naval airport in the Gandhi Nagar–Shastri Nagar area of Great Nicobar Island. Ramesh said he had first raised the proposal with the defence minister on 16 May, suggesting that strategic and defence objectives could be achieved without the environmental costs associated with the proposed airport site. Referring to media reports quoting defence ministry sources, he noted that the government had indicated that further expansion of the INS Baaz runway beyond 4,500 feet could have adverse ecological consequences. "I a…

Environment Minister Defends Great Nicobar Project, Calls Congress ... Bhupender Yadav says only 1.78 per cent forest land to be used, insists project balances ecology, economy, and national security. Yadav: only 1.78 per cent forest land used; project key for defense and connectivity. Dismisses Congress concerns as misinformation and negative politics. Govt cites impact studies, afforestation, 90 per cent forest cover intact. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav criticised the Congress for its opposition to the Great Nicobar infrastructure project, calling it "negative politics" and a source of misunderstanding. According to PTI, Yadav claimed that the massive project is essential for both strategic connectivity in the Indian Ocean Region and national security while speaking at a function hosted by the Public Affairs Forum of India. According to Yadav, the project will only utilise 1.78 per cent of the forest acreage inGreat Nicobar. "Does the country not even have the right to use this much land for its security, transport capacity and modern technology? Questioning every institution, raising doubts over every developmental effort and writing columns when it comes t…

ANI17 Jun 2026, 18:03 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI): Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday slammed the Centre over the proposed transshipment port on Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Island, alleging that the project would lead to large-scale ecological damage. He also flagged concerns over the destruction of coral colonies, while questioning the implementation and transparency of the project. In a post on X, Congress leader wrote, 'The transhipment port on Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar will, in all probability, be part of the Modani empire. It is a recipe for ecological havoc, one example (and only one example) of which will be the large-scale destruction of coral colonies.' https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/2067137268272546090?s=20 'Nowhere in the world has relocation on such a scale proposed as a mitigation measure worked. Scientists should have the courage of their conviction--not of their political bosses bulldozing this project through,' the post read. His remarks come amid his continued opposition to the Great Nicobar Island Project, which he has repeatedly described as environmentally damaging and procedurally flawed. On Friday, Ramesh wrote t…

The Great Indian Debate on the Great Nicobar Island Project Audio Option is available to paid subscribers. Upgrade your plan One of India’s most consequential development controversies, the ₹81,000-crore Great Nicobar Island Project has divided policymakers, strategists, environmentalists, and political leaders. We survey the competing arguments. “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. The decision to develop Great Nicobar Island has been taken after due consideration of its ecological, social and strategic aspects.” Bhupender Yadav(Union Minister for Environment)X12 September 2025. “The totally misplaced Rs 72,000 crore expenditure poses an existential danger to the island’s indigenous tribal communities, threatens one of the world’s most unique flora and fauna ecosystems and is highly susceptible to natural disasters.” Sonia Gandhi,The Hindu, 8 September 2025. “There is no need to conflate India’s security imperatives with a large-scale development project involving a township, tourism infrastructure, and a transhipment term…

ANI17 Jun 2026, 18:03 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI): Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday slammed the Centre over the proposed transshipment port on Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Island, alleging that the project would lead to large-scale ecological damage. He also flagged concerns over the destruction of coral colonies, while questioning the implementation and transparency of the project. In a post on X, Congress leader wrote, 'The transhipment port on Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar will, in all probability, be part of the Modani empire. It is a recipe for ecological havoc, one example (and only one example) of which will be the large-scale destruction of coral colonies.' https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/2067137268272546090?s=20 'Nowhere in the world has relocation on such a scale proposed as a mitigation measure worked. Scientists should have the courage of their conviction--not of their political bosses bulldozing this project through,' the post read. His remarks come amid his continued opposition to the Great Nicobar Island Project, which he has repeatedly described as environmentally damaging and procedurally flawed. On Friday, Ramesh wrote t…

Great Nicobar project: Jairam Ramesh urges Rajnath Singh to reconsider ... Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, urging him to reconsider the government’s rejection of the full expansion of INS Baaz Naval Air Station on the Great Nicobar Island, as doing so would minimize the ecological impacts of the Great Nicobar Island project compared to the greenfield airport planned at Gandhi Nagar -Shastri Nagar. Referring to recent media reports based on the Defence Ministry’s assertion that the INS Baaz on Campbell Baycould not be extended beyond 4,500 feet due to ecological impacts, the former environment minister questioned it and pointed out the ecological impacts of the airport site chosen by the Centre. Ramesh also criticised the ministry for taking “over six years” to make a statement on theproposed airport on Great Nicobar Island (GNI). He stated that it was compelled to do so because the “disastrous ecological impacts” of GNI project have become all too evident and have invited widespread concern. “I request you to reconsider your rejection of the full expansion of INZ Baaz Runway that has been recommended by some distinguished naval…