Defence veterans back ₹72,000 crore Great Nicobar Project, rebuff Rahul Gandhi's eco concerns
Synopsis
Defence veterans are pushing back hard against Rahul Gandhi's environmental objections to the ₹72,000 crore Great Nicobar Project — framing it not as a development debate but a national security imperative. With Great Nicobar sitting just 150 km from the Malacca Strait, through which 25–30% of global sea trade flows, the stakes could not be higher.
Key Takeaways
Defence veterans on 30 April strongly backed the Great Nicobar Project , estimated at ₹72,000 crore .
The project includes a transshipment port , international airport (civilian and military), power infrastructure, and township development.
Former Air Chief Marshal R.
Bhadauria called Rahul Gandhi's concerns
Defence veterans have strongly backed the Great Nicobar Project in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, terming it essential for India's maritime security, economic growth, and strategic positioning. The endorsements came on 30 April in direct response to Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who had flagged potential ecological damage and risks to indigenous communities in the islands.
Veterans Dismiss Concerns as 'Baseless'
Former Air Chief Marshal R. K. S. Bhadauria rejected Gandhi's allegations, describing them as
Point of View
And the absence of a credible independent environmental assessment leaves a legitimate gap that critics can exploit. Great Nicobar's proximity to the Malacca Strait is undeniably strategically significant, yet infrastructure of this scale in a biodiversity-sensitive zone demands more than dismissal of dissent. The real question is whether India can build strategically without compromising ecologically — and that answer requires transparency, not just veteran endorsements.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Great Nicobar Project?
The Great Nicobar Project is a ₹72,000 crore integrated development initiative driven by NITI Aayog, dating back to 2021. It includes a transshipment port, an international airport serving both civilian and military needs, power infrastructure, and township development on Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
Why do defence veterans consider the Great Nicobar Project strategically vital?
Great Nicobar Island lies approximately 150 km from the Malacca Strait, through which 25–30% of global sea trade and about 75% of China's energy imports pass. Veterans argue that infrastructure here would significantly strengthen India's maritime surveillance, trade leverage, and the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
What concerns has Rahul Gandhi raised about the project?
Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi flagged potential ecological damage and risks to indigenous tribal communities on the islands. Critics have also raised broader concerns about the project's environmental impact on the biodiversity-rich region.
How have defence veterans responded to the opposition's stance?
Former Air Chief Marshal R. K. S. Bhadauria called the concerns 'baseless' and said they reflected a lack of understanding of the project's scope. Retired Major General K. K. Sinha termed the Congress opposition 'unfortunate', arguing the project represents a major strategic and economic opportunity for India.
When did the Great Nicobar Project originate?
The project dates back to 2021 and is part of a long-discussed plan to strengthen infrastructure in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Defence services have reportedly advocated for capacity building in the region for over two decades.
