Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 09 November 2025
The ambitious Great Nicobar Project, one of India’s most strategically significant infrastructure initiatives, has taken a decisive step forward with the publication of a preliminary notification for land acquisition to develop a Greenfield International Airport at Great Nicobar Island. The notification, issued on 6th November 2025 by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and published in The Daily Telegrams on 9th November 2025, marks the formal commencement of the land acquisition process under Section 11 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
The Great Nicobar Project is envisioned as a multi-component development programme designed to transform the remote southernmost island of India into a major hub of economic, strategic, and infrastructural importance. Spearheaded by the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO) under the policy guidance of NITI Aayog, the project includes the development of an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Galathea Bay, a Greenfield International Airport, a power generation facility, and a modern township. These core elements are planned to work in synergy to strengthen India’s maritime trade capabilities, enhance national security, and create new avenues of growth and employment in the islands.
The International Container Transshipment Terminal aims to handle up to 16 million TEUs of cargo annually, reducing India’s dependency on foreign transshipment hubs such as Singapore, Colombo, and Port Klang. The airport, designed for both civilian and defence use, will cater to a peak capacity of 4,000 passengers per hour, serving as a vital link for improved connectivity to mainland India and the Indo-Pacific region. Complemented by a 450 MVA power project and urban development in a new township area, the project seeks to make Great Nicobar a key node in India’s maritime and economic landscape.
Strategically located near the Malacca Strait, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, Great Nicobar Island holds immense value for India’s maritime security. The project is expected to enhance defence preparedness and ensure better surveillance of critical sea routes while providing a logistical advantage to India’s navy and merchant marine. Beyond its economic and security dimensions, the development also holds promise for improved local livelihoods, infrastructure, and employment opportunities in the Nicobar group of islands.
The preliminary notification issued by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration states that a total of 834.6437 hectares of land in Gandhi Nagar and Shastri Nagar villages of Campbell Bay Tehsil, Nicobar District, is required for public purpose, specifically for the construction of the Greenfield International Airport. The Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for the project was carried out by M/s Probe Research and Social Development Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, on behalf of the Department of Social Welfare, and the findings were reviewed by an expert committee constituted under the relevant provisions of the Act. The report concluded that the project serves a public purpose of immense national importance — encompassing defence, strategic, and developmental priorities.
According to the notification, approximately 263 families are likely to be displaced as a result of the acquisition. The Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District, has been designated as the Administrator for Rehabilitation and Resettlement, tasked with ensuring that affected families receive fair compensation and proper resettlement as per the provisions of the law. A portion of 404.8194 hectares, including submerged land due to the 2004 tsunami, has been identified for acquisition. The notification further authorises revenue officials to enter and survey the land, conduct measurements, and undertake necessary assessments for the project.
Under Section 11(4) of the Act, significant restrictions have now come into force on the sale, purchase, or transfer of land within the notified area. No transaction or encumbrance on such land can take place without prior approval of the Collector from the date of publication of the notification. This effectively freezes all land-related transactions to prevent speculative sales and secure the notified area for acquisition. The law also provides affected individuals the right to file objections within 60 days from the date of publication if they have concerns regarding the acquisition.
The publication of this notification represents more than just an administrative formality; it marks a milestone in the progression of the Great Nicobar Project from planning to implementation. The move brings the airport component of the project closer to reality and signals that groundwork such as surveys, compensation assessment, and rehabilitation planning will soon intensify. It also signifies the government’s commitment to advancing one of its most ambitious infrastructure.
The issuance of the preliminary notification thus marks the formal beginning of a new chapter in the Great Nicobar Project’s journey. It is a symbol of progress. As the process unfolds, the island will witness one of the largest transformation efforts in its history — a project that seeks to redefine India’s presence in the Bay of Bengal and the wider Indo-Pacific region.
