In a significant development for one of India’s most closely watched infrastructure initiatives, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday (16 February) dismissed a batch of petitions challenging the environmental clearance granted to the Rs 80,000 crore Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project. The Tribunal observed that it found no valid reason to intervene in the matter.
A six-member special bench of the NGT ruled that there was “no good ground to interfere” with the environmental clearance (EC), emphasising that “adequate safeguards” had been incorporated into the approval conditions. The order is seen as a major boost for the ambitious project, which has faced sustained scrutiny from environmental groups and activists.
The Tribunal also highlighted the strategic importance of the proposed development, a factor that featured prominently in its reasoning. It noted that concerns raised during earlier proceedings had already been examined in detail by a high-powered committee constituted at the Tribunal’s direction.
Reading out the operative portion of the judgment, NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava stated: “We have come to the conclusion, that we find that adequate safeguards…and considering the strategic importance of the project, taking into account the other relevant considerations, we do not find any good ground to interfere accordingly OA and MA are disposed off with a direction to authorities and regulatory agencies, full and strict compliance of the EC conditions.”
The bench clarified that its decision was based on multiple factors, including the safeguards laid down in the environmental clearance, conclusions drawn in earlier rounds of litigation, and the findings of the expert committee tasked with re-examining elements of the clearance process. Collectively, these assessments, the Tribunal indicated, did not warrant judicial interference.
At the same time, the NGT issued a clear directive to authorities and regulatory bodies, stressing the need for “full and strict compliance with the EC conditions.” This instruction underscores the Tribunal’s expectation that environmental safeguards and mitigation measures will be implemented rigorously throughout the project’s execution.
The Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project, one of the largest proposed developments in the ecologically sensitive Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, spans approximately 166 square kilometres. A key component of the project involves the diversion of around 130 square kilometres of forest land, a move that has drawn attention from conservationists.
The project blueprint includes several major facilities designed to transform the island’s infrastructure landscape. Among the planned components are a transhipment port, an integrated township, a dual-use civil and military airport, and a 450 MVA power plant based on a mix of gas and solar energy. Together, these elements aim to enhance connectivity, economic activity, and strategic capabilities in the region.
The environmental clearance for the project was granted in November 2022, while in-principle forest clearance had been accorded a month earlier. Since then, the project has been the subject of legal challenges and public debate, particularly concerning its potential ecological impact.
One of the prominent challenges was filed by environmental activist Ashish Kothari, who questioned the validity of the clearance. The petition alleged violations of the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019, and argued that portions of the project fell within protected coastal zones.
The pleas contended that the clearance process had overlooked critical environmental considerations, raising concerns about the long-term implications for the island’s fragile ecosystems. However, the Tribunal, after reviewing the material on record and expert findings, declined to set aside the approvals.
With the NGT’s decision, legal hurdles facing the Great Nicobar project have been substantially reduced, though compliance with environmental conditions remains a central requirement. As authorities move forward, the focus is expected to shift toward implementation, monitoring, and adherence to the safeguards outlined in the clearance.
