The Indian government has detailed its ambitious ₹81,000 crore Great Nicobar Project, which aims to transform Great Nicobar Island into a significant maritime and economic hub. This initiative is positioned as a strategic move to enhance India's presence in the Indo-Pacific region and reduce reliance on foreign ports. However, the project has faced criticism from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who has raised concerns about potential deforestation and impacts on local tribal communities, including the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes. In response, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) stated that the project has undergone a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and that only 1.82% of the forest cover will be diverted. The project will include significant infrastructure components such as an international container transshipment terminal, a greenfield airport capable of handling 4,000 peak-hour passengers, and a gas and solar-based power plant. The government emphasizes that no displacement of indigenous communities is planned and that compensatory afforestation will occur over 97.30 sqkm. The project is set to be implemented in three phases from 2025 to 2047, allowing for careful monitoring of its environmental and social impacts.