Jairam Ramesh, a senior Congress leader, has voiced strong opposition to the Great Nicobar Island Project, labeling it a commercial venture that threatens the region's unique biodiversity. In a letter to Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ramesh emphasized the need for comprehensive environmental impact assessments (EIA), criticizing the current assessments as inadequate. He pointed out that the EIA conducted in March 2022 was merely a rapid reconnaissance study, lacking primary data gathered over multiple seasons. Ramesh referenced legal judgments from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that highlighted significant deficiencies in the environmental clearance process, including the necessity for a thorough EIA. He expressed concern over the government's shift in narrative towards the project, suggesting that strategic military objectives could be better achieved by enhancing existing facilities rather than pursuing the project. Ramesh also called for transparency regarding the High-Powered Committee's report, which has not been made public, and reiterated that the ecological impacts of the project must be thoroughly evaluated before proceeding.