The debate over the Great Nicobar Island development project has intensified after senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor amplified an article written by Sonia Gandhi in The Hindu. Calling it a “serious issue,” Tharoor stressed the need for a rethink, saying that while development and strategic bases are important, they must not come at the cost of ecological destruction and the displacement of indigenous people.
Sonia Gandhi’s Concerns
In her editorial, Sonia Gandhi criticized the ₹72,000 crore “Holistic Development of Great Nicobar” Project, calling it a “planned misadventure.” She outlined several key concerns:
- Ecological destruction: The project threatens to wipe out vast stretches of forests, with estimates of tree loss ranging between 8.5 lakh and 58 lakh trees.
- Tribal displacement: Indigenous groups like the Nicobarese and the Shompen face the risk of losing ancestral homes and cultural identity.
- Seismic vulnerability: The island lies in a highly sensitive seismic zone, making large-scale construction risky.
- Weak compensatory measures: Plans for afforestation and rehabilitation fall short of addressing the scale of damage.
Tharoor’s Stand
Sharing Gandhi’s article on X (formerly Twitter), Shashi Tharoor wrote:
“This is a serious issue. Development is important and so is having a strategic base in the Islands, but they can be done without the ecological and human devastation that Smt Sonia Gandhi ji so eloquently outlines. It’s time for a serious rethink.”
Tharoor’s statement reinforces the demand for balancing national development goals with environmental safeguards.
Political Echoes
Other Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, echoed Sonia Gandhi’s concerns. Rahul Gandhi described the project as a “misadventure” that undermines tribal rights and bypasses legal frameworks. Priyanka Gandhi termed Sonia’s editorial “thought-provoking,” further amplifying the opposition’s stance.
What the Project Entails
The Great Nicobar Project envisions the construction of a transshipment port, an international airport, power plants, and a township. The government justifies it on the grounds of strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific and economic opportunities. However, critics argue that the scale of development ignores the ecological fragility of the island and the rights of its indigenous communities.
Why It Matters
This debate highlights a larger national dilemma: how to balance development with conservation. While the government pushes for infrastructure growth and strategic advantage, voices like Sonia Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor warn of irreversible consequences. The clash underscores the urgent need for transparent dialogue, rigorous environmental assessments, and respect for tribal rights.
The Great Nicobar Project is more than just an infrastructure plan—it is a test case for India’s development model. Will the country prioritize strategic ambitions at the cost of ecology and indigenous communities, or will it find a sustainable path forward? As Shashi Tharoor put it, it’s time for a serious rethink.
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Author: Team BTP
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