Government defends Great Nicobar development plans, states strategic and environmental guarantees
Approved by the Union Cabinet and operated by the Indian Navy, the proposed greenfield airfield is expected to significantly improve maritime domain awareness, logistical support and rapid deployment capabilities. | Photo credit: AFP
As part of the Great Nicobar Island Development Project, India plans to invest around ₹ 13,000 crore to build a dual-use airport and airstrip for both civilian and naval operations, a senior Defense Ministry official said on Monday (June 08, 2026).
According to ministry sources, the project, which is expected to be completed within five years, will be jointly funded by the ministry and the civil aviation ministry. The government sees the initiative as a strategic investment aimed at strengthening maritime security, strengthening regional connectivity and enhancing India’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Elaborating on the project, the official said the project consists of four major components – an International Container Transport Port (ICTP), a joint greenfield airport and naval air station, a modern township and a power plant. Together, these projects are expected to transform Great Nicobar into a key maritime and economic hub, while strengthening India’s defense capabilities in the strategically important Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Located just 40 km from the Six Degree Channel, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes connecting the Gulf of Aden and the Straits of Malacca, Great Nicobar occupies a critical position along global shipping routes. Government officials said the project will reduce India’s dependence on foreign transshipment ports and strengthen its ability to monitor and secure the vital sea lanes of communication (SLOC).
Approved by the Union Cabinet and operated by the Indian Navy, the proposed greenfield airfield is expected to significantly improve maritime domain awareness, logistical support and rapid deployment capabilities. The airport is also expected to boost tourism, with the Airports Authority of India projecting an initial capacity of 1.35 million passengers a year by 2040, it said.
It is understood that five potential sites, including INS Baaz in Campbell Bay, were considered before Galathea Bay was chosen for the airport. Technical limitations, limited expansion options and environmental concerns reportedly made the expansion of INS Baaz unviable.
In response to concerns about environmental impact and tribal rights, officials said the project had undergone extensive environmental assessments involving institutions such as the Zoological Survey of India, the Wildlife Institute of India and the Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON). Of the island’s total area, only 166.1 square kilometers have been earmarked for development, with more than 81% remaining under forests, biosphere reserves, national parks and tribal protection zones.
A special conservation package worth ₹2,220 crore over 30 years has been planned to protect wildlife, including leatherback turtles, Nicobar megapods and crocodiles, as well as coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems.
The official confirmed that no physical displacement of tribal communities is proposed and that consultations have been held with tribal welfare authorities and representative bodies.
In addition to the strategic gains, the project is expected to create more than one million direct and indirect employment opportunities, providing a significant economic boost to the island region while supporting India’s long-term maritime and security objectives.
Published – 08 Jun 2026 21:58 IST