Top Officials to Assess Great Nicobar Project Master Plan on Thursday

Prime Minister's principal secretary, Pramod Kumar Mishra, along with Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and joint secretary (Union Territory Division) Ashutosh Agnihotri, are among the key officials scheduled to arrive on Thursday to review the initial master plan for the Rs 75,000-crore Great Nicobar Island Township project, according to officials.

The Great Nicobar project is a large-scale development plan that includes an international container transshipment terminal, an airport, a power plant, and a green-field township at Campbell Bay, the southernmost part of India, located approximately 80 nautical miles from Ronodo Island in Indonesia's northernmost Sabang district.

Upon arrival at INS Utkrosh's MR Complex airfield—part of Veer Savarkar International Airport controlled by the Indian Navy—the officials are expected to fly to Campbell Bay to review the consultant's presentation on the project's master plan. The review is scheduled to begin around 11.30 am. The meeting will be attended by key officials including chief secretary Keshav Chandra and DGP Devesh Chandra Srivastva.

"The comprehensive development of multiple visionary mega projects, with investments exceeding Rs 75,000 crore under the Maritime India Vision 2030, includes the international container transshipment terminal (ICTT), green-field airport, and power plant," said a statement from the Lt. Governor's office. "These projects are nearing the final stages of their preparatory phase and aim to transform the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into a vibrant economic hub."

Officials mentioned that the Lt. Governor is likely to meet with Ministry of Home Affairs officials on May 3 for further discussions and an interactive session on the project's next steps.

ET