Centre approves ₹13,000-crore Great Nicobar airport, drops plan to expand INS Baaz airfield

The Centre has approved the construction of a new ₹13,000-crore greenfield civil-military airport in Great Nicobar, abandoning earlier plans to expand the Indian Navy's INS Baaz airfield. The airport will be built at Chingen near Galathea Bay and is expected to cater to both civilian and defence aviation requirements, as per reports.

Government and defence officials reportedly said studies found it impractical to extend INS Baaz's existing 4,500-foot runway to around 10,000 feet due to terrain constraints, navigational challenges and the need for extensive supporting infrastructure. 

Authorities have also concluded that runway expansion could have a greater impact on forests, wildlife habitats and tribal settlements than the proposed greenfield project.

The new dual-use airport, expected to be completed within five years, will remain under naval operational control while supporting civilian flights. Located near the western approaches of the strategically important Malacca Strait, the facility is expected to strengthen India's surveillance, logistics and military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

As per reports, the airport forms a key component of the ₹81,000-crore Great Nicobar Island Development Project, which also includes an International Container Transshipment Terminal at Galathea Bay, power infrastructure and township development. The government says the project will enhance India's maritime presence and reduce dependence on foreign cargo hubs such as Singapore and Colombo.

The decision comes amid growing political controversy over the mega project. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticised the development plan, calling it one of the country's biggest environmental and tribal heritage threats. He has alleged that the project could lead to large-scale rainforest destruction, damage to coral reefs and displacement of indigenous communities, including the Shompen tribe.