File photo NEW DELHI: Two days after government issued a detailed note on the ambitious Great Nicobar Project, clarifying certain questions raised by Rahul Gandhi, Congress countered its stance on Sunday by saying Centre had failed to address serious concerns raised by affected local communities, environmentalists, anthropologists, academics and civil society voices regarding the project. The opposition party also demanded a parliamentary debate on the issue to address transparency and security concerns.Congress neta Jairam Ramesh refuted government’s claim that the project is a strategic initiative to strengthen India’s presence in Andaman Sea by quoting former chief of naval staff Admiral Arun Prakash (retired) who had argued that “the security capabilities of ANC (Andaman & Nicobar Command) need to be addressed separately and must have no linkage with the developments contemplated for GNI (Great Nicobar Island)”.Election Results 2026Election results: Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, Puducherry brace for voters’ verdictWest Bengal election results: Tight race expected as TMC faces BJP challengeTamil Nadu election results: Can Stalin retain power or will AIADMK stage a comeback?In a four-page note, Ramesh said, “There is thus no need to link India’s legitimate security imperatives with the so-called ‘development project’ — complete with a township, high-end tourist infrastructure and large transshipment terminal — that the Modi government is intent on bulldozing through…”The party alleged that government is in “damage control mode” following a recent visit to the island by leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Ramesh argued that the Great Nicobar ecosystem is unique and cannot be compared to other islands in the archipelago.Flagging significant concerns regarding the Nicobarese and Shompen groups, he pointed out that Nicobarese community had withdrawn its No Objection Certificate (NoC) for forest diversion in Nov 2022.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results on Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC AppearanceDelhi Approves ₹48,000 Crore Metro Expansion Plan To Connect Outer Regions With City CoreVietnam President To Lam’s First State Visit To India: What It Means For New Delhi-Hanoi Ties123PhotostoriesMorning affirmation at 5 am: Thoughts that hit different when the world is still asleepYou’re brushing your teeth wrong: What dentist says most people missHow to make Pudina Paratha for summer breakfast5 Bengali breads every foodie should try5 rare watches from Sachin Tendulkar’s collection you should knowYou’re walking, but not like this: How interval walking improves fitness naturallySubtle signs you might be vitamin D deficient, and what your body is trying to tell youRed vs green Apple: How to choose the right one for your health goalsRihanna to Katy Perry: 7 most bizarre Met Gala looks that stole the spotlightBhagavad Gita lessons to overcome life’s challenges and stay happy123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap
NEW DELHI: Two days after government issued a detailed note on the ambitious Great Nicobar Project, clarifying certain questions raised by Rahul Gandhi, Congress countered its stance on Sunday by saying Centre had failed to address serious concerns raised by affected local communities, environmentalists, anthropologists, academics and civil society voices regarding the project. The opposition party also demanded a parliamentary debate on the issue to address transparency and security concerns.Congress neta Jairam Ramesh refuted government’s claim that the project is a strategic initiative to strengthen India’s presence in Andaman Sea by quoting former chief of naval staff Admiral Arun Prakash (retired) who had argued that “the security capabilities of ANC (Andaman & Nicobar Command) need to be addressed separately and must have no linkage with the developments contemplated for GNI (Great Nicobar Island)”.In a four-page note, Ramesh said, “There is thus no need to link India’s legitimate security imperatives with the so-called ‘development project’ — complete with a township, high-end tourist infrastructure and large transshipment terminal — that the Modi government is intent on bulldozing through…”The party alleged that government is in “damage control mode” following a recent visit to the island by leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Ramesh argued that the Great Nicobar ecosystem is unique and cannot be compared to other islands in the archipelago.Flagging significant concerns regarding the Nicobarese and Shompen groups, he pointed out that Nicobarese community had withdrawn its No Objection Certificate (NoC) for forest diversion in Nov 2022.
