Great Nicobar port a 'recipe for ecological havoc': Jairam Ramesh

Congress's Jairam Ramesh slammed the Centre over the Great Nicobar Island transshipment port, calling it a 'recipe for ecological havoc.' He flagged the large-scale destruction of coral colonies and questioned the project's transparency.

Jairam Ramesh Alleges 'Ecological Havoc'

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday slammed the Centre over the proposed transshipment port on Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Island, alleging that the project would lead to large-scale ecological damage. He also flagged concerns over the destruction of coral colonies, while questioning the implementation and transparency of the project.

In a post on X, Congress leader wrote, "The transhipment port on Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar will, in all probability, be part of the Modani empire. It is a recipe for ecological havoc, one example (and only one example) of which will be the large-scale destruction of coral colonies."

The transshipment port on Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar will, in all probability, be part of the Modani empire. It is a recipe for ecological havoc, one example (and only one example) of which will be the large-scale destruction of coral colonies. Nowhere in the world has… pic.twitter.com/WgpUENZaEe — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 17, 2026

"Nowhere in the world has relocation on such a scale proposed as a mitigation measure worked. Scientists should have the courage of their conviction--not of their political bosses bulldozing this project through," the post read.

Continued Opposition and Alternative Suggested

His remarks come amid his continued opposition to the Great Nicobar Island Project, which he has repeatedly described as environmentally damaging and procedurally flawed.

On Friday, Ramesh wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, urging him to reconsider the proposed greenfield airport at Gandhi Nagar-Shastri Nagar in Great Nicobar Island, citing severe ecological and social impacts.

He continued to raise strong objections to the Great Nicobar Island mega infrastructure project, flagging that "serious and systematic environmental impact" and accusing the government of bypassing comprehensive environmental assessment norms.

In his detailed letter, Ramesh referred to his earlier communication dated May 16, 2026, where he had suggested that "in order to minimise its adverse ecological impacts and also meet strategic objectives, the expansion of the existing runway at INS Baaz on Campbell Bay could be considered as an alternative to building a greenfield airport at Gandhi Nagar-Shastri Nagar area of Great Nicobar Island."

Government's Stance on the Project

According to the government, however, the project aims to develop a major transhipment hub leveraging the island's proximity to key global shipping routes, along with a greenfield international airport, power plant, and township, while also serving strategic and defence interests. (ANI)

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