Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Congress Challenges Great Nicobar Project Over Ecological Concerns
The Indian government wants to build a large development project on Great Nicobar Island.
It would include a port, an airport and big tourism facilities.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh says the project could badly harm the islands’ special plants and animals.
He also says the required environmental approvals were not properly given.
Five legal challenges to the project are being heard by the Calcutta High Court.
The islands’ administration also sought ideas for building large data centres.
Those plans were withdrawn within about two weeks, according to the report.
Ramesh hopes the withdrawal will be permanent.
The government’s response to his criticism was not included in the article.
Jairam Ramesh accused the Modi government of pursuing a “grave ecological folly” in Great Nicobar.
The proposed development includes a transshipment port, airport and large tourism complexes.
Ramesh alleged that environmental and forest clearances violated rules, procedures and guidelines.
The Calcutta High Court is hearing five challenges to the Great Nicobar project.
Plans for private-sector green AI data centres on Great Nicobar and Little Andaman were reportedly withdrawn for “administrative reasons.”
- Who
- Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the Modi government and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration’s plans.
- What
- The dispute concerns the Great Nicobar Island Development Project and withdrawn proposals for private-sector green AI data centres.
- When
- The report is dated August 21; the data-centre announcement was said to have been made on August 10, 2026, before being withdrawn within a fortnight.
- Where
- Great Nicobar, Little Andaman and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; legal challenges are being heard by the Calcutta High Court.
- Why
- Congress says the development threatens unique biodiversity, involves alleged clearance violations and does not serve genuine local or national interests.
- Project components
- Transshipment port, airport and vast tourism complexes
- Main critic
- Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary and former environment minister
- Legal challenges
- The Calcutta High Court is hearing five separate challenges
- Environmental allegation
- Ramesh said environmental and forest clearances were given in violation of rules, procedures and guidelines
- Data-centre proposal
- A private-sector-led green AI data centre was proposed for the islands
- Withdrawal
- The Expression of Interest was withdrawn, with administrative reasons cited
- Congress position
- The project is allegedly overwhelmingly commercial and endangers unique biodiversity