The Indian National Congress escalated its criticism of the Great Nicobar Island Project, saying the development would destroy one of India’s most sensitive ecosystems.
Party spokespeople highlighted the island’s rainforests, coral reefs, and endemic species threatened by port construction, deforestation, and population influx. Congress aligned its messaging with environmental groups that have petitioned courts and regulators to halt clearances.
Great Nicobar hosts indigenous communities and protected forest areas where large-scale construction requires multiple environmental and coastal zone approvals. Congress argued the government’s rush to build transshipment infrastructure prioritises corporate profit over ecological preservation.
The attack forms part of a broader opposition strategy linking the project to business interests favoured by the ruling coalition. Congress demanded greater parliamentary scrutiny and independent assessment of long-term damage to the archipelago’s biodiversity before earthmovers advance on contested sites.
Congress leaders paired their ecological warnings with demands for parliamentary committee hearings on clearances granted to the Nicobar project. Environmental lawyers allied with the party have separately challenged approvals before regulatory tribunals citing incomplete impact assessments.
Great Nicobar hosts indigenous communities and protected habitats that Congress said would suffer irreversible damage from large-scale construction. The party demanded independent ecological review before port and township works advance on cleared sites.
Environmental activists supporting Congress have documented coral and forest impacts in filings before regulatory bodies.
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Sources:
https://www.outlookindia.com/national/hiding-behind-the-military-on-world-environment-day-rahul-gandhi-attacks-modi-govt-over-great-nicobar-project