Great Nicobar project: Govt clears Rs 13,000 crore dual-use airport

The government has cleared a Rs 13,000 crore greenfield civil-military airport near Galathea Bay as part of the Rs 81,000 crore Great Nicobar Project. Expected to be operational within five years under the Indian Navy's control, the airport aims to enhance India's strategic and maritime capabilities. The broader project includes power plants, logistics hubs, townships, and maritime infrastructure. The opposition has criticised the initiative, raising concerns about the destruction of ecology and tribal heritage, and suggesting that expanding the existing naval base would be a better alternative. In response, the government and defence sources maintain that the project is driven by strategic imperatives to counter regional security challenges and reduce dependence on foreign ports. The government asserts that environmental clearances were obtained following due procedures, noting that only a small percentage of the island will be utilised and that the expansion of the existing naval base was dropped due to environmental concerns.