Great Nicobar project will boost India's economic growth: Kiren Rijiju

Business To Business, New Delhi, 20^th June, 2026:  Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said that the Great Nicobar Project will play a significant role in boosting India's economic growth and enhancing the country's supply-chain independence.
Speaking at the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sammelan, Rijiju described the project as a major strategic initiative that seeks to combine economic development with environmental protection.
According to the minister, the holistic development of Great Nicobar Island is being undertaken while adhering to all required environmental and regulatory compliances, with due consideration given to the island's natural resources and ecological sensitivity.
Rijiju also responded to criticism of the project, stating that some groups have opposed the initiative. He argued that the development plan would become a key driver of India's future economic expansion and referred to it as a "kendrabindoo" (focal point) for growth.
The minister said the project is expected to transform Great Nicobar into a major maritime and logistics hub in the Indo-Pacific region, strengthening India's strategic position along important global shipping routes. He added that improved port, transport, and logistics infrastructure could help reduce supply-chain vulnerabilities and support the country's long-term economic and trade objectives.
The Great Nicobar development project has been projected by the government as a strategic infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity, trade, and maritime capabilities, while its environmental implications continue to be the subject of public debate and scrutiny.