Why in News?

  • The Government of India has approved a ₹13,000 crore Greenfield Civil-Military Airport in Great Nicobar Island.
  • The airport will be developed near Galathea Bay under the larger ₹81,000 crore Great Nicobar Island Development Project.
  • The government has decided not to expand INS Baaz, the existing naval air station at Campbell Bay.
  • The project has triggered debate over its strategic benefits, environmental impact, and tribal rights concerns.

KEY DECISION: NEW GREENFIELD CIVIL MILITARY AIRPORT

Location
  • Chingen, near Galathea Bay.
  • Southeastern coast of Great Nicobar Island.
Cost
  • Approximately ₹13,000 crore.
Timeline
  • Expected completion within 5 years.
Operational Structure
  • Will function as a dual-use airport.
  • Serve both:
    • Civilian aviation.
    • Military operations.
  • Will remain under Indian Navy operational control.

WHY WAS INS BAAZ EXPANSION DROPPED?

Earlier Proposal
  • Expansion of runway at INS Baaz in Campbell Bay.
  • Existing runway length: 4,500 feet.
  • Proposed expansion: Around 10,000 feet.

REASONS FOR REJECTION

Terrain Constraints
  • Difficult geographical conditions.
  • Limited availability of land.
Navigational Challenges
  • Operational difficulties due to surrounding terrain.
Infrastructure Limitations
  • Large supporting infrastructure required.
Environmental Concerns Expansion could have led to:
  • Greater forest diversion.
  • Disturbance to wildlife habitats.
  • Impact on tribal settlements.
Government Assessment
  • Greenfield airport considered more feasible.
  • Better scope for future expansion.

WHY GREAT NICOBAR MATTERS?

Strategic Location
  • India's southernmost island.
  • Located in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
  • Positioned near major international sea routes.

PROXIMITY WITH STRAIT OF MALACCA

Importance
  • One of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints.
  • Connects:
    • Indian Ocean.
    • South China Sea.
    • Pacific Ocean.
Significance
  • Large share of global trade passes through it.
  • Major route for oil and energy shipments.
  • Critical for international supply chains.
Six Degree Channel
  • Great Nicobar lies close to the Six Degree Channel.
  • Important sea route leading into the Malacca Strait.
GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT explained for UPSC STRATEGIC VALUE Enables India to:
  • Monitor maritime traffic.
  • Track naval movements.
  • Strengthen maritime surveillance.
  • Protect Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs).

STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE FOR INDIA

Strengthening Indo-Pacific Presence The project will help India:
  • Expand its strategic footprint.
  • Enhance influence in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Improve maritime domain awareness.
Military Advantages Enhanced Surveillance
  • Better monitoring of Indian Ocean shipping routes.
  • Improved tracking of military activities.
Increased Operational Reach
  • Faster deployment of aircraft and troops.
  • Improved logistics support.
Disaster Response
  • Quicker humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Countering Chinese Presence The project is expected to:
  • Strengthen India's position in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
  • Respond to increasing Chinese maritime activity.
  • Improve strategic deterrence capabilities.

EXISTING MILITARY INFRASTRUCTURE

Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) Established
  • 2001
Significance
  • India's only Tri-Service Command.
  • Integrates:
    • Army.
    • Navy.
    • Air Force.
INS Baaz Commissioned
  • 2012
Importance
  • India's southernmost military air station.
  • Strategic surveillance base in the Indian Ocean.

ABOUT GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Total Cost
  • ₹81,000 Crore
  • The airport is one component of a larger mega-project.
GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT explained for UPSC

MAJOR COMPONENTS

1. International Container Transshipment Terminal Location: Galathea Bay. Objective Reduce dependence on foreign transshipment hubs such as:
  • Singapore
  • Colombo
Benefits
  • Boost maritime trade.
  • Improve logistics efficiency.
  • Increase India's role in global shipping.
2. Greenfield Airport
  • Civil-military airport.
  • Strategic aviation hub.
3. Power Infrastructure
  • Reliable electricity supply.
  • Support industrial and urban growth.
4. Township Development Includes:
  • Residential infrastructure.
  • Commercial facilities.
  • Social infrastructure.

GOVERNMENT’S JUSTIFICATION

Strategic Importance Government argues that the project will:
  • Enhance national security.
  • Strengthen maritime surveillance.
  • Improve military preparedness.
Economic Benefits
  • Transform Great Nicobar into a maritime hub.
  • Increase trade and investment.
  • Create employment opportunities.
Connectivity Benefits
  • Better connectivity with mainland India.
  • Improved movement of people and goods.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

Deforestation Critics argue the project may require:
  • Felling of over 1.5 crore trees.
Biodiversity Loss Potential impact on:
  • Tropical rainforests.
  • Endemic species.
  • Wildlife habitats.
Coral Reef Damage Concerns regarding:
  • Destruction of coral ecosystems.
  • Marine biodiversity loss.

TRIBAL CONCERNS

Impact on Indigenous Communities Shompen Tribe Most vulnerable community likely to be affected. Concerns
  • Habitat loss.
  • Cultural disruption.
  • Reduced access to traditional resources.
Importance of Shompen Tribe
  • Classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
  • Indigenous inhabitants of Great Nicobar.
  • Depend heavily on forests for livelihood.

CRITICISM BY OPPOSITION

Rahul Gandhi's Concerns Rahul Gandhi Criticised the project on grounds of:
  • Environmental destruction.
  • Tribal displacement.
  • Lack of transparency.
Major Questions Raised Environmental Clearances
  • Adequacy of impact assessments.
Financial Viability
  • Cost-benefit justification.
Tribal Rights
  • Protection of indigenous communities.
Alternative Options
  • Why not expand INS Baaz instead?

KEY ADVANTAGES OF THE NEW AIRPORT

Greater Expansion Potential
  • More land availability.
  • Long-term infrastructure growth.
Better Military Utility
  • Larger aircraft operations.
  • Enhanced logistics capabilities.
Improved Civilian Connectivity
  • Supports tourism and economic development.
Strategic Surveillance
  • Better monitoring of maritime routes.

CHALLENGES AHEAD

Environmental Sustainability
  • Balancing development with conservation.
Protection of Tribal Rights
  • Ensuring participation and welfare of indigenous communities.
Project Implementation
  • Cost management.
  • Timely execution.
  • Infrastructure development.
Strategic-Ecological Balance
  • Meeting security needs without irreversible ecological damage.
CONCLUSION The Great Nicobar Island Development Project is one of India's most ambitious strategic infrastructure initiatives. The proposed ₹13,000 crore Greenfield Airport, along with the transshipment port and township development, can significantly strengthen India's Indo-Pacific strategy, maritime security, trade connectivity and military reach. However, concerns relating to forest loss, biodiversity, coral reefs and tribal communities such as the Shompen highlight the need for a balanced approach that combines national security, economic development and environmental sustainability.