The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has cleared a major legal obstacle for the Rs 81,000-crore Great Nicobar Project by refusing to interfere with the environmental clearance granted to the mega infrastructure plan. The decision allows India’s most ambitious island development initiative to move forward, marking a significant step in New Delhi’s effort to strengthen its strategic and economic presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Located barely nine kilometres from Indira Point, India’s southernmost tip, the project sits close to some of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, giving it considerable geopolitical importance.
A six-member special bench of the NGT, headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, ruled that it found no valid grounds to set aside the environmental clearance issued in 2022. The tribunal observed that adequate safeguards had been incorporated into the approval process and emphasised the need for a balanced approach that recognises both environmental protection and strategic development. While acknowledging concerns raised under the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) framework, the bench concluded that development should proceed with strict compliance rather than be halted based on apprehensions alone. The ruling effectively disposes of multiple petitions that had challenged the project on ecological and regulatory grounds.
The tribunal relied heavily on findings submitted by a high-powered committee led by former environment secretary Leena Nandan, which had been tasked with reviewing aspects of the clearance following earlier proceedings. After examining claims that parts of the project fell within prohibited coastal zones, the NGT concluded that no component of the development lay in restricted ICRZ areas. It further stressed that the government remains legally bound to comply with all environmental conditions attached to the approval and must ensure strict monitoring during implementation.
Spread across approximately 166 square kilometres, the Great Nicobar Project is one of India’s largest greenfield infrastructure initiatives and involves diversion of about 130 square kilometres of forest land, including the felling of nearly one million trees. The project includes four core components: a transshipment port, an integrated township, a dual-use civil and military airport, and a 450-MVA power plant based on gas and solar energy. The transshipment port forms the centrepiece of the plan, designed to position Great Nicobar as a major logistics hub capable of competing with established Southeast Asian ports by leveraging its proximity to the Strait of Malacca, a critical global shipping corridor through which a substantial portion of international trade passes.
India currently depends heavily on foreign ports for cargo transshipment, and the proposed facility aims to capture a share of east-west maritime trade flows while reducing logistical dependence on overseas infrastructure. The integrated township is intended to support workforce and commercial activity, while the airport will serve both civilian transportation and strategic defence requirements. The dedicated power plant is expected to ensure energy self-sufficiency for the island’s expanding infrastructure.
Beyond economics, the project carries significant strategic implications. Great Nicobar’s location near key maritime choke points enhances India’s ability to monitor shipping lanes, strengthen naval logistics, and enable rapid deployment capabilities in the eastern Indian Ocean. As China expands its maritime presence across the Indo-Pacific, Indian policymakers view the project as a strategic asset that integrates commercial infrastructure with defence preparedness, reinforcing India’s regional posture.
Environmental and tribal concerns have surrounded the project since its conceptualisation, with critics questioning its ecological impact and potential effects on fragile island ecosystems. Petitioners had alleged violations of coastal regulations and risks to biodiversity, including coral reefs and nesting habitats. The NGT, however, accepted expert findings that no coral reefs exist directly within the project area and directed authorities to undertake coral translocation and regeneration where necessary. It also ordered strict protection of sensitive coastal features such as sandy beaches used by nesting turtles and birds, along with safeguards for species including the leatherback sea turtle, Nicobar megapode, saltwater crocodile, robber crab, and Nicobar macaque.
The tribunal emphasised that environmental compliance remains mandatory and must be rigorously enforced throughout construction and operation. While the ruling does not end political debate or environmental scrutiny, it removes a major legal uncertainty that had slowed progress. With the clearance now upheld, the government can advance development of the long-delayed infrastructure plan, which aims to reshape India’s maritime capabilities and economic footprint in the region.
If implemented as envisioned, the Great Nicobar Project could significantly alter India’s strategic geography by establishing a deep-sea port and dual-use aviation hub at the country’s southeastern frontier. Supporters view it as a transformative initiative that combines economic ambition with strategic positioning, potentially strengthening India’s role as a key maritime power in the Indo-Pacific while anchoring trade and security interests near one of the world’s most critical sea lanes.
