Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Congress Challenges Centre's Supreme Court Plea on Great Nicobar Project
The Great Nicobar Island Project is a large development plan costing Rs 92,000 crore.
Some citizens and civil society groups have challenged the project in court.
They say the government may have broken rules protecting forests and tribal communities.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh strongly criticized the project and called it an ecological danger.
The Union government has asked the Supreme Court to stop the Calcutta High Court from continuing these cases.
The High Court had already allowed one senior former government official to bring a challenge.
The Supreme Court may hear the government’s request on October 5, 2026.
The High Court’s final hearing on one petition is planned for November 25 and 26, 2026.
Congress accused the Union government of seeking a Supreme Court stay on Calcutta High Court proceedings against the Great Nicobar Island Project.
Jairam Ramesh alleged that environmental and forest-law approvals for the Rs 92,000-crore project were flawed.
Five petitions by citizens and civil society groups are pending before the Calcutta High Court.
One petition alleges violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, affecting local tribal communities.
The Supreme Court plea is likely to be heard on October 5, 2026, while the High Court’s final hearing is scheduled for November 25 and 26, 2026.
- Who
- The Union government, the Congress party led in this matter by Jairam Ramesh, and petitioners including citizens and civil society groups.
- What
- The Union government has asked the Supreme Court to stay proceedings in petitions challenging the Great Nicobar Island Project before the Calcutta High Court.
- When
- The Supreme Court plea is likely to be heard on October 5, 2026; a related Calcutta High Court final hearing is scheduled for November 25 and 26, 2026.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Great Nicobar Island Project and court proceedings in the Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court.
- Why
- The petitions allege violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, while Congress says the project’s environmental and forest-related approvals are flawed.
Congress and Petitioners
Union Government
Environmental impact
Congress and Petitioners
Congress says the project’s environmental and forest-law approvals are deeply flawed, its impact assessments are of dubious value, and it could cause major ecological damage.
Union Government
The Union government is proceeding with the project and has sought a stay of the Calcutta High Court proceedings; the article does not provide a detailed government response to Congress’s environmental allegations.
Forest Rights Act and tribal communities
Congress and Petitioners
Congress says one petition raises serious Forest Rights Act violations affecting local tribal communities and wants the law implemented fully.
Union Government
The government has challenged the proceedings in the Supreme Court, including the petitioner’s right to bring the case, after the Calcutta High Court rejected that objection.
Court proceedings
Congress and Petitioners
Congress wants the Calcutta High Court to continue with its scheduled hearing on the petitions.
Union Government
The Union government has asked the Supreme Court to stay all further proceedings in the Calcutta High Court cases.
- Project cost
- Rs 92,000 crore, revised upward from Rs 72,000 crore
- Project location
- Great Nicobar Island
- Pending cases
- Five petitions are pending before the Calcutta High Court
- Main legal issue
- Alleged violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006
- Supreme Court hearing
- Likely on October 5, 2026
- Calcutta High Court hearing
- Final hearing scheduled for November 25 and 26, 2026
- Related infrastructure
- A proposed transhipment port at Galathea Bay