‘Great Nicobar Project is not about security’:Rahul Gandhi alleges it is designed to benefit a businessman; shares 16-minute diving video

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the Narendra Modi government of misleading the public about the purpose of the proposed Great Nicobar Island Project, alleging that the mega-development plan is designed to benefit private business interests rather than strengthen national security. In a 16-minute video shared on social media platform X, Gandhi claimed that the government and the BJP have portrayed the project as a strategic initiative linked to defence and maritime security, while its real objective is to facilitate large-scale commercial development, including hotels and casinos, on ecologically sensitive land. “The Modi government and the BJP tell you that the Great Nicobar Project is related to defence. In reality, that is not the case,” Gandhi said. “The purpose of this project is not security and transshipment, but to benefit a businessman so that hotels and casinos can be built on India’s most precious and unique ecological land.” Referring to his recent visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gandhi said he travelled to Indira Point, the southernmost tip of India, where he witnessed centuries-old forests and coral reefs that he described as among the most spectacular in the world. The Congress MP has emerged as one of the strongest critics of the Great Nicobar Project in recent weeks, raising concerns over its environmental impact, tribal rights, and transparency in the approval process. The Centre, however, maintains that the project is crucial for India’s strategic and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Along with the video documenting his April visit to the islands, Gandhi urged citizens to sign a petition opposing the project, saying people should choose “greenery over greed.” Rahul Gandhi’s key allegations Gandhi alleged that the project violates the Forest Rights Act and threatens the land rights of indigenous tribal communities living on the island. He also claimed that many settlers from mainland India, including ex-servicemen rehabilitated by the government in the islands, are not being adequately compensated. Questioning the government’s strategic rationale, Gandhi said the expansion of INS Baaz, India’s southernmost naval air station, has been pending for years despite demands from the Navy. “Expand INS Baaz, and we will fully support the government,” he said. The Congress leader further alleged that nearly 1.5 crore trees are slated to be cut as part of the project and claimed that coral reefs have been removed from official maps. According to him, the area earmarked for development is nearly four times the size of New Delhi. What is the Great Nicobar Project? The Great Nicobar Island Project is a proposed multi-purpose infrastructure development initiative estimated to cost around ₹90,000 crore. It includes plans for an international transshipment port, an airport, a power plant, and a new township. The Government of India argues that the project will strengthen India’s maritime security, boost international trade, and enhance the country’s strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region by creating a major shipping and logistics hub near one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. ​