In pushback against Rahul Gandhi’s opposition to the project, retired Air Chief Marshal says ecological concerns will be mitigated; notes that proposed port is 150 km from Malacca Strait, the route for 75% of China’s energy trade
The Greater Nicobar project is “important for India’s military footprint” in the area, a former chief of the Indian Air Force said on Thursday (April 30, 2026), as part of the BJP’s pushback against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s comments against the project and its harmful ecological footprint.
Air Chief Marshal (Retd) R.K.S. Bhadauria, who is now a member of the BJP, pointed to the strategic importance of having a port near the route of China’s energy shipments, with the conflict in West Asia demonstrating the impact of such maritime leverage.
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He added that environmental concerns are taken on board as a matter of course whenever such projects are mooted. “There are statutory clearances and committees are made. They look at all the factors and all these are mitigated,” he said in a statement.
The project, being built at a cost of around ₹81,000 crore, includes a transhipment terminal, a power plant, and a township. The Union government expects it to boost maritime trade, connectivity, and security, and play a key role in promoting India’s geo-strategic and economic interests.
The Great Nicobar project | Between the sea and the state
Strategic location
The retired Air Chief Marshal said that was “surprised” by Mr. Gandhi’s views on the project, noting that it was “important that such a project be understood.”
“[The project] is important for India to set a militarily strategic footprint in that region. From a defence and strategic perspective, this development is very crucial. After Strait of Hormuz closure, we have realised the importance of straits and sea route blockades, and such a statement after all this is surprising. If the port is made, it will be only 150 km away from the Malacca Strait, which serves as the route for 75% of China’s energy trade. It will boost India’s maritime and air front dominance to a great extent,” he said.
His response on behalf of the BJP came after Mr. Gandhi characterised the project as “one of the biggest scams and gravest crimes against the natural and tribal heritage of the country”. After visiting the area, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha had said that the project would entail the axing of millions of trees in 160 sq. km of rainforest. Terming it as “destruction dressed in development’s language”, Mr. Gandhi vowed to raise the issue in Parliament.
The Hindu Bureau
Courtesy : The Hindu
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