Great Nicobar Island project will transform region into major maritime hub: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday shared an article on the Great Nicobar Island Project, underscoring its strategic importance and transformative potential for the Indian Ocean Region.

Calling the project one of “strategic, defence, and national importance,” the Prime Minister said it will turn Great Nicobar into a major hub of maritime and air connectivity.

In a post on X, PM Modi shared an article penned by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav stating, “Union Minister Bhupender Yadav explains that 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. He highlights it as a prime example of economy and ecology complementing each other.”

In his article, Bhupender Yadav reaffirmed the government’s commitment to balancing economic development with ecological protection. “The decision to develop Great Nicobar Island has been taken after due consideration of its ecological, social, and strategic aspects,” he said, sharing a detailed explainer on the project.

The Great Nicobar Island Project is an integrated development plan featuring a state-of-the-art international container transshipment terminal (ICTT) with a capacity of 14.2 million TEU, a greenfield international airport, a 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant, and a township spread over 16,610 hectares.

Bhupender Yadav assured that the project poses no threat to the island’s tribal communities, does not harm local species, and will not compromise the eco-sensitivity of the region.