Greater Nicobar Project – Strategic Significance
Source: Indian Express
GS III: Infrastructure, Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
Overview
- News in Brief
- Key components of Great Nicobar island project
- Strategic significance for India
Why in the News?
The Union Government has defended the proposed Great Nicobar Island development project, stating that GNI project will serve India’s strategic interests.
News in Brief
- India has invested rupees 81,000 crore in Great Nicobar Island (GNI) infrastructure and strategic megaproject.
- The Government highlighted that it is strategically significant national initiative.
- Transform the island into a major maritime focal point in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Key Components of Great Nicobar Island Project
- International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) – Reduces dependence on foreign transshipment ports, keeping in view the defense and national
Photo by Dileesh Kumar on Unsplash security purpose.
- Greenfield International Airport – Improves connectivity and open up the island to tourism (destinations include, Senang city, Phuket island, and Langkawi island.
- Township and Supporting Infrastructure- Support to accommodate massive influx of people and economic activities.
- Power plant- Reliable power infrastructure designed to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
About Great Nicobar Island
- Southernmost island of India in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
- Home to India’s southernmost Indira Point.
- Located close to the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints.
- Hosts strategically important naval air station INS Baaz.
- Lies at the junction of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.
Strategic Significance for India
- Enhance India’s maritime security
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- Strengthens India’s surveillance and monitoring capabilities in the eastern Indian Ocean.
- Enhances the operational reach of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard (provide naval logistic support).
- Supports maritime domain awareness in critical sea lanes.
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- Economic and trade benefits
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- Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar reduces dependence on foreign transshipment ports such as those in Singapore, Colombo and Klang – Vizhinjam in Kerala is the sole domestic transshipment port.
- Boosts India’s logistics competitiveness.
- Creates opportunities for trade, investment and tourism.
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- Proximity to Maritime routes
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- Great Nicobar is located close to key International Sea Lines Of Communication (SLOC).
- It can improve monitoring of commercial and naval traffic.
- It can strengthen India’s maritime security.
- It can develop into a major economic and maritime hub.
- It can support India’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
- The Malacca Strait (crucial chokepoint) – nearly one-third of global trade and significant share of global energy shipments happens through the Malacca Strait.
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- Indo-Pacific Strategy
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- Acts as a strategic counterbalance to expanding regional influence of other powers.
- The dual-use airport and port enhance the maritime defense capabilities of the Quad to ensure free and open sea lanes.
- Strengthen India’s role as a key security provider in the Indo-Pacific region.
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The Government assured that environmental safeguards and communities welfare are considered and incorporated while ensuring that strategic and economic objectives are achieved.
UPSC Prelims Practice Question
Consider the following statements regarding the Great Nicobar Island Project
- The project is located to closely to major International Sea Line Of Communication (SLOCs).
- The project includes and International Corridor Transshipment Port and a greenfield airport.
- Great Nicobar Island is situated near the Strait of Hormuz.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 only
d)1,2, and 3
Answer: c) 3 only
Explanation: Great Nicobar Island is strategically located near the Malacca Strait, not the Strait of Hormuz.
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