Cong launches statewide drive against Great Nicobar project

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Monday launched a statewide awareness and signature campaign against the proposed mega infrastructure project in Great Nicobar. The drive follows Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's call to protect the ecologically sensitive island from what the party described as "corporate-driven destruction".

State Congress president Ajay Rai said district units have been instructed to collect signatures down to the block level and mobilise students, youth, environmental activists and local communities. He said Gandhi's objections stem from concerns about environmental conservation and the protection of indigenous communities.

Terming the initiative "Green Over Greed," Rai alleged the Centre was prioritising commercial interests over ecological sustainability. The proposed project, estimated at around Rs 92,000 crore, includes an international trans-shipment port, an airport, a power plant and a tourism township.

Rai questioned the govt's priorities, noting that expansion plans for INS Baaz — India's only tri-services military base in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands — and a naval jetty have remained pending for years, while clearances for the development project moved ahead quickly.

Citing Gandhi's recent visit to the islands and meetings with residents, Rai claimed the project could lead to the felling of nearly 1.5 crore trees, damage ancient rainforest and coral reef ecosystems, and adversely affect the Shompen and Nicobarese tribal communities.

"The debate is not development versus environment, but ensuring development does not cause irreversible ecological harm or displace vulnerable groups," Rai said. He also linked the campaign to wider environmental challenges, citing studies that call for increased green cover and pointing to rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and worsening air quality.