On September 30, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the Indian government of aggressively pushing forward with the Great Nicobar Island project, valued at Rs 92,000 crore, up from the previously stated Rs 72,000 crore. Ramesh made these comments while questioning the Centre’s request to the Supreme Court for a stay on ongoing proceedings in the Calcutta High Court. He alleged that the project lacked proper environmental and forest-related approvals.

Ramesh specifically stated that the impacts assessment reports associated with the project were not reliable and described them as being of “dubious value.” He emphasised the need for rigorous scrutiny of these assessments in light of their significance to local ecosystems and tribal communities.

Pending Legal Challenges in Calcutta High Court

According to Ramesh, a total of five petitions from citizens and civil society organisations are currently pending in the Calcutta High Court concerning the project. One of these petitions raises serious questions regarding violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, which safeguards the rights of local tribal populations affected by developmental initiatives.

The Congress leader pointed out that the final hearings for these petitions are scheduled for November 25 and 26, 2026. He claimed that, despite the government agreeing to this timeline, it has now sought intervention from the Supreme Court in an apparent shift in its position. Ramesh stressed the importance of these hearings for the rights of local communities and environmental justice.

Ramesh further highlighted that the Calcutta High Court previously recognised the standing of a petitioner with a significant background in the Union ministries of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, and Tribal Affairs. This acknowledgement countered the government’s argument questioning the petitioner’s right to challenge the project.

Concerns Over Continued Project Development

Ramesh expressed concern regarding the government’s ongoing efforts to advance the Great Nicobar project while legal challenges remain unresolved. He stated that this could lead to an ecological disaster, describing the Centre’s actions as “mindless” given the pending petitions in court.

In contrast, the government has characterised the Great Nicobar project as a strategic and economic endeavour intended to capitalise on the island’s location along the East-West international shipping route. Officials assert that the initiative will reduce India’s reliance on foreign transshipment facilities.

Components of the project include the establishment of a 14.2 million TEU International Container Transshipment Terminal and a greenfield international airport designed to accommodate 4,000 passengers during peak hours. Additionally, plans outline the construction of a 450 MVA gas-solar power plant and a township.

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