Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 01 January 2025
Mr. Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is currently on a visit to Great Nicobar Island. The visit, which began on December 31, 2024, underscores the government’s commitment to transforming the region into a strategic maritime hub.
The minister was warmly welcomed by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation at the APWD Guest House in Campbell Bay shortly after his arrival at INS Baaz. The delegation was led by Mr. E. S. Rajesh, Pramukh of the Campbell Bay Panchayat Samiti and BJP District President for Nicobar District. Several prominent party leaders, including Mr. N Kiran, Mr. K C Murugan, Mr. Prahlad Singh, Mr. G Venkat Rao, Mr. Sanjay Ekka, Mr. T Shiva Raj, Mr. Koteshwar Rao, Mr. John Katchap, Mr. K Vidhyadharan, Mr. Virender Singh, among others were present to greet him.
During his visit, Mr. Thakur toured the Magar Nallah area and the Galathea Bay area – the proposed site for the ambitious International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT). Today, he is scheduled to inspect existing jetties and other port-related infrastructure in Campbell Bay. His visit to Great Nicobar will conclude on January 2, 2025.
At the ALHW Office in Sri Vijaya Puram on 30th December 2024, the minister had emphasised the urgent need to develop supporting infrastructure at the Campbell Bay harbour to ensure the timely execution of the ICTT project.
The proposed International Container Transshipment Terminal at Great Nicobar Island is a significant initiative by the Government of India, aimed at bolstering the nation’s maritime capabilities. Awaiting cabinet approval, the project will soon enter the tendering phase.
The first phase, costing approximately Rs. 20,000 crore, is expected to be completed within five years, enabling the port to handle 4.3 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually. Upon completion of the final phase, with an estimated total investment of Rs. 48,000 crore, the port’s capacity will rise to 16.5 million TEUs annually.
This transformative project positions Great Nicobar Island as a pivotal player in global maritime trade, reinforcing India’s strategic and economic interests in the region.