Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, describing the Great Nicobar Island project in its present form as a “recipe for ecological disaster” and urging a reassessment of its design in view of environmental and tribal rights concerns alongside strategic considerations.
Ramesh, in his letter shared on social media platform X, said that while there was “no two opinions” on the need to strengthen India’s defence capabilities, the proposed project had drawn increasing public criticism due to its potential ecological impact and the manner in which it was being justified on security grounds.
The Congress leader, who has previously served as Environment Minister, said he had already written separately to the Union Environment Minister and the Tribal Affairs Minister on related issues, including alleged gaps in environmental clearances and violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
On May 1, he noted, the government had issued a press note titled ‘The Great Nicobar Island Project: FAQs’, which he claimed presented a “completely false picture” of the environmental clearance process. In a subsequent letter dated May 10, he raised concerns about what he described as “dubious grounds” for approvals granted under environmental regulations.
In his communication to Rajnath Singh, Ramesh reiterated that the project, which includes a transshipment port and a township, was being projected as strategically essential, despite what he argued was limited direct military value in those components.
Also read: Cong raises red flags on Great Nicobar project, seeks debate
“Let me straightaway say that there can be no two opinions on the need to strengthen our nation’s defences. There can also be no two opinions on the need to project India’s strategic capabilities in a credible manner,” he said in the letter, while cautioning against overlooking ecological costs.
Ramesh pointed out that INS Baaz, located in Campbell Bay on Great Nicobar Island, had been operational since 2012, and proposed expansions such as extending the runway and constructing a naval jetty had remained pending for several years. He suggested these could be pursued instead, citing comparatively lower environmental impact.
He further said that existing defence assets under the Andaman and Nicobar Command, including INS Kardip, INS Kohassa, INS Utkrosh, INS Jarawa and the Car Nicobar Air Force Station, could be strengthened to enhance operational capability without major ecological disruption.
According to him, the transshipment port and township component of the project did not directly contribute to military strength, yet were being included in strategic justifications.
“The Great Nicobar Island Project in its present shape and form is a recipe for ecological disaster,” Ramesh said, urging the Defence Minister to consider alternative proposals reportedly suggested by senior naval officers in their writings.
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