Daijiworld Media Network – Great Nicobar

Great Nicobar, Apr 29: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Centre’s Rs 81,000 crore strategic infrastructure project in Great Nicobar, calling it one of the “biggest scams” and a grave assault on the country’s natural and tribal heritage.

During a visit to the island, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha alleged the ambitious project was “destruction dressed in development’s language” and accused the government of ignoring ecological and indigenous concerns.

In a post on X, Rahul said what was being presented as a development project was in reality the destruction of rainforests and displacement of local communities.

“It is millions of trees marked for the axe. It is 160 square kilometres of rainforest condemned to die. It is communities that have been ignored while their homes have been snatched away,” he said.

Describing the island’s forests as “older than memory”, Rahul said generations-old ecosystems and indigenous communities were being deprived of what rightfully belonged to them.

The remarks come amid continued controversy over the mega project, which includes plans for a transshipment and logistics hub at the southern tip of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.

The project, cleared by the National Green Tribunal, has faced criticism from the Congress, with Sonia Gandhi earlier urging the Centre to reconsider the proposal over concerns relating to biodiversity and tribal populations.

Supporters of the project, however, argue it could strengthen India’s maritime presence, boost trade and enhance strategic positioning near the Strait of Malacca, a region seen as geopolitically crucial.

The Great Nicobar development plan has remained at the centre of debate over balancing strategic infrastructure, economic ambition and environmental protection.