GNI project recipe for ecological disaster, expand existing defence assets on Great Nicobar: Jairam to Rajnath

Listing out the existing defence assets ranging from the Andaman and Nicobar Command to INS Baaz in Campbell Bay, INS Kardip, INS Kohassa, INS Utkrosh, INS Jarawa and the Car Nicobar Air Force Station, Ramesh sought to make a case for expanding these assets.

“INS Baaz located in Campbell Bay on the Great Nicobar Island was commissioned in July 2012. But plans for at least trebling the length of the existing runway and making a naval jetty have been awaiting approval for almost five years. These plans have far less adverse environmental impacts as well,” he said.

There are also assets of the Andaman and Nicobar Command created many years ago that could be expanded with far less environmental costs, he said, which include INS Kardip, INS Kohassa, INS Utkrosh, INS Jarawa and the Car Nicobar Air Force Station.

Requesting Singh to “seriously consider the above alternatives”, the Congress general secretary in-charge of communications said these were proposed by distinguished naval officers in their writings.

On the transshipment port, touted as the centrepiece of the mega infrastructure, Ramesh said it would not enhance the country’s military capability in any way. As part of the Rs 81,000 crore GNI project, the government has proposed to build an integrated township, a transshipment container port, solar and gas-based power plant, and a greenfield military and civilian use airport.

On May 10, Ramesh had written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, alleging that the government’s FAQ document on the GNI project released on May 1 were false claims. On May 13, he wrote to Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, alleging “flagrant violations” of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.