Great Nicobar Island master plan proposes tourism as primary driver for ₹92,000-crore project
A draft master plan for the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) outlines a ₹92,000-crore mega-infrastructure project, designating tourism as the 'primary economic driver.' The plan aims to settle 3.36 lakh people by 2055 and attract over a million tourists annually. It includes an international container transshipment port, airport, power plants, and a township, with clusters for administration, logistics, and tourism along the eastern coast. However, local Nicobarese tribes have withdrawn their consent, alleging unsettled forest rights, leading to a challenge in the Calcutta High Court. The project spans 166.10 sq. km, with 121.86 sq km from diverted forest areas, and proposes various tourism models.
Key Points
- The Great Nicobar Island (GNI) draft master plan proposes a ₹92,000-crore mega-infrastructure project with tourism as its primary economic driver.
- The plan projects a population of 3.36 lakh and over a million annual tourists by 2055.
- Key components include an international container transshipment port, airport, power plants, and a township, divided into specialized clusters.
- Local Nicobarese tribes have challenged the project, citing unresolved forest rights, with the Calcutta High Court currently hearing the matter.
- The project encompasses 166.10 sq. km, with a significant portion (121.86 sq km) requiring diverted forest areas.
Exam Facts
- The Great Nicobar Island project is a ₹92,000-crore mega-infrastructure initiative.
- The plan projects a population of 3.36 lakh and over a million tourists by 2055.
- The project received Stage-I clearance in 2022.
- The Calcutta High Court is currently hearing a challenge to the project's clearances.
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