On Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi renewed his criticism of the Indian government's Great Nicobar development project, asserting that it prioritizes commercial interests over the fragile ecology of the island and the welfare of local communities. In a post on X, he shared insights from his recent visit to Indira Point, where he interacted with tribal residents and settlers, alleging violations of the Forest Rights Act and inadequate compensation for displaced individuals. Gandhi claimed the project would lead to the destruction of 1.5 crore trees, displace tribal communities, and damage coral reefs, which he noted had been removed from official maps. He questioned the government's justification for the project as a strategic initiative, suggesting that if national security were the priority, the focus should be on expanding the Indian Navy's INS Baaz air station. He also dismissed the need for a new transhipment port, citing an existing facility being developed in Kerala. Gandhi advocated for ecologically balanced development, stating that Great Nicobar could serve as a model for sustainable tourism and conservation.