The central government is going to build a new military-civilian airport in Great Nicobar Island at a cost of Rs 13,000 crore. The target is to complete this project in five years. The political debate regarding this has also intensified.
New Delhi: The Central Government has taken another big step amid the ongoing political tussle over the Rs 81,000 crore mega development project in Great Nicobar Island. The government has decided to build a new greenfield civil-military airport here at a cost of Rs 13,000 crore. According to official sources, this airport will be built in Chinkan near Galathea Bay on the south-eastern coast of Great Nicobar. This airport will be for the use of both military and civilians. This project has been brought in place of the expansion of the Naval Air Station INS Baaz present in Campbell Bay.
This airport is strategically important as it will be near the western gate of the Malacca Strait, the busiest sea route of the Indian Ocean. Most of the world’s container traffic and oil ships pass through this route. This new airport will increase India’s ability to monitor this area and take rapid action in any emergency. The target is to complete this airport in five years. Although it will also be opened for common citizens, its complete control will remain with the Indian Navy.
The government had to take the decision to build a new airport because it was difficult to extend the existing 4500 feet runway of INS Baaz to 10,000 feet. The study revealed that due to the geographical structure and technical difficulties, it is very difficult to expand the runway. Officials also say that expanding the old airport would have caused great harm to the tribal tribes, forests and wild animals living there.
This airport is a part of the Rs 81,000 crore Great Nicobar Island Development Project. The mega project also includes building an International Container Transshipment Terminal at Galathea Bay. Its objective is to reduce India’s dependence on foreign ports like Singapore and Colombo for cargo transportation. Central government sources say that along with the airport, power plants and townships will also be developed, so that Great Nicobar can be made a global economic and defense hub.
At the same time, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized the Great Nicobar Project. He has called it one of the biggest scams in the country. He said this after visiting the area and doing scuba diving among the coral reefs. Rahul alleged that in the name of development, more than 1.5 crore trees will be cut, coral reefs will be destroyed and endangered tribes like Shompen will have to leave their place.
The opposition is raising questions that if the purpose is only defence, then there is a lack of transparency in bringing such a big project instead of expanding the existing INS Baaz. On World Environment Day, Congress had also started a campaign against this project named ‘Green Over Greed’. However, the central government stands firm on its decision. He says that this investment is very important for the country’s security and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region.