Great Nicobar Island
Great Nicobar is the Southernmost and largest of the Nicobar Islands. It has India’s southernmost point, located 170 km from Sabang, Sumatra, Indonesia. It is home to two national parks, a biosphere reserve, and small populations of Shompen, Onge, Andamanese, and Nicobarese tribes, along with a few thousand non-tribal settlers
What is the Great Nicobar Island Project?
It is an ambitious project launched by the NDA government in 2021. The project was implemented after a report by NITI Aayog which identified the potential to utilize the advantageous position of the island.
The project is aimed at creating an International Container Trans-shipment Terminal(ICTT) on Great Nicobar Island. It also includes a Green Felid International Airport along with a Township. It is expected to be powered by the 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant included in the project.
The ICTT and power plant are planned for Galathea Bay, in the southeastern corner of Great Nicobar Island, an area with no human habitation. The location was chosen for its proximity to Malacca Strait. It is also approximately equidistant from Colombo (Sri Lanka), Port Klang (Malaysia), and Singapore, offering strategic advantages.
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Implementation of the Great Nicobar Island Project
The project is expected to be developed in phases. The first phase of the project is approximately expected at Rs 41,000 crore (USD 5 billion).
The project will be implemented through a mix of government funding and public-private partnerships (PPP). And many major companies like Larsen and Toubro Ltd, Afcons Infrastructure Ltd, and JSW Infrastructure Ltd are already showing interest.
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Significance
It is significant as India aims to become a major global manufacturing hub. Therefore, India must develop deep-sea ports capable of accommodating large container ships, known as mother ships. For maritime transport for the export of goods from India. This would reduce our dependence on foreign ports such as Colombo, Singapore, and Klang for handling these large ships.
ICTT is a great initiative that can provide a deep sea port for India in a strategic location. It can be a great compliment to the existing Vizhinjam deep sea port in Kerala. And the upcoming Vandavan deep sea port of Mumbai, both of which cover the western region of India.
After completing all the expected phases, it will serve as a viable alternative to Singapore. And the port can bring in huge revenues for the Government of India(GOI).
Its Military significance is just as important as its economic one. Due to its proximity to the Malaca Strait, it can serve as a deterrence for China and crumb any military ambitions it has in the region. During wartime, it can be used by naval warships for docking refueling, and repair. The inclusion of the Airport will also have dual purpose use of surveillance during peacetime and used by Jets in wartime.
Impact on Indigenous Tribe Great Nicobar
The Shompen tribe with an estimated population of only a few hundred individuals. The tribe could be impacted by the building of infrastructure as they live a traditional way of life.
Threat to Island EcologyÂ
It could damage coral reefs and harm the local marine ecosystem. It might also threaten the Nicobar Megapode bird and leatherback turtles that nest in Galathea Bay.
In August 2023, the government informed Parliament that 960,000 trees might be cut down. However, the government has plans for ‘compensatory afforestation’ in Haryana to make up for the loss of this rainforest.
Seismic Vulnerability
The proposed port is located in a seismically volatile zone. Which experienced permanent subsidence of around 15 feet during the 2004 tsunami. This raises concerns about the safety and viability of constructing such a large-scale infrastructure project in a high-risk, disaster-prone area.
Clearance Of The Project
For any project of this significance, it is important to have its clearance by certifying agencies. Particularly this project raised concerns for its environmental impact. Finally, the project has received all necessary environmental clearances and approval from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Report.
Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Secretary T K Ramachandran confirmed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been finalized. Construction is expected to start in a few months. The transshipment port, central to the project, is expected to be operational by 2028.
