The Public Accounts Committee seeks a report from the Home Ministry on the Great Nicobar Project

The CAG report also highlighted deficiencies in equipment and patient care with over 40% shortage of prescribed types of medical equipment, non-availability of basic diagnostic tools and only five functional operating theatres, leading to delays of several months. File | Photo credit: AFP

Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman KC Venugopal has asked the Union Home Ministry for a report on the Great Nicobar Project even as the Congress has accused the government of endangering the fragile ecosystem of the Nicobar Islands for commercial purposes.

The PAC met to discuss the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) report on the “establishment and functioning of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences”.

During his closing remarks, Mr. Venugopal flagged the Great Nicobar Project and pointed to growing panic among local residents as 1.5 million trees are slated to be felled to make way for the project. He further pointed out, sources said that the INS Baaz naval base has not been provided with additional land for its expansion; and the government used this fragile ecology for commercial activities. Punjab Congress MP Amar Singh also backed Mr Venugopal and detailed the implications of the project, which he said the government had not anticipated.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Singh Thakur took the stand to point out, sources said, that the issue was off the agenda. Mr. Venugopal agreed, though he directed Home Minister Mr. Govinda Mohan to submit a comprehensive report detailing all aspects of the project.

On the said topic of the day, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences, the panel pointed out the huge funding deficit and the indefinite delay in the completion of the civil construction. The CAG report also highlighted deficiencies in equipment and patient care with over 40% shortage of prescribed types of medical equipment, non-availability of basic diagnostic tools and only five functional operating theatres, leading to delays of several months. The MHA, which is the monitoring agency, shifted the blame for these deficiencies to the Union Health Ministry, which is the executive body of the hospital.

Published – 24 Jun 2026 23:08 IST