Congress criticizes Great Nicobar Island Development Project

The Congress party has criticized the Modi government regarding the Great Nicobar Island Development Project, describing it as a “grave ecological folly.” Congress general secretary and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh stated that the project, which includes a transshipment port, airport, and tourism complexes, is being advanced through environmental and forest clearances that allegedly violate established rules and guidelines.

Ramesh noted that the Calcutta High Court is currently hearing five separate legal challenges against the project. Additionally, he addressed recent reports concerning plans to establish large, energy-intensive data centres in notified areas around Little Andaman and Great Nicobar. While the local administration had initially announced these plans on August 10, 2026, the proposal was withdrawn within two weeks, citing “administrative reasons.”