Great Nicobar Development Project - News & Updates

[saffronwarrior]

In August, 2020 the Prime Minister had declared that the Andaman and Nicobar islands will be developed as a "maritime and startup hub".

The proposal includes an international container trans-shipment terminal, a greenfield international airport, a power plant and a township complex spread over 166 sq. km. (mainly pristine coastal systems and tropical forests).

In early 2021, the NITI Aayog circulated an undated vision document titled ‘Sustainable Development of Little Andaman Island’, which proposed developing both Great Nicobar Island, as well as Little Andaman, “for economic and strategic benefits to the country but at the same time ensure conservation of the rich bio-diversity and primitive tribal groups in the core of these islands”.

It will become India's alternative to Hong Kong and Singapore. Many Indian-origin businessmen of Hong Kong have shown interest in this project.

I have created this thread to keep update of this ambitious project which can help us in realising the dream of $10 Trillion Dollar economy by 2030-35 and which has potential to establish India as a big power in Southeast Asia.

 

[FalconSlayers]

View attachment 148004
View attachment 148003

In August, 2020 the Prime Minister had declared that the Andaman and Nicobar islands will be developed as a "maritime and startup hub".

The proposal includes an international container trans-shipment terminal, a greenfield international airport, a power plant and a township complex spread over 166 sq. km. (mainly pristine coastal systems and tropical forests).

In early 2021, the NITI Aayog circulated an undated vision document titled ‘Sustainable Development of Little Andaman Island’, which proposed developing both Great Nicobar Island, as well as Little Andaman, “for economic and strategic benefits to the country but at the same time ensure conservation of the rich bio-diversity and primitive tribal groups in the core of these islands”.

It will become India's alternative to Hong Kong and Singapore. Many Indian-origin businessmen of Hong Kong have shown interest in this project.

I have created this thread to keep update of this ambitious project which can help us in realising the dream of $10 Trillion Dollar economy by 2030-35 and which has potential to establish India as a big power in Southeast Asia.

Thanks for the thread, needed some attention.

 

[saffronwarrior]

VEER SAVARKAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - TERMINAL 2

The statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced the construction of a new terminal building at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, the gateway to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

AAI has decided to undertake the development of the new terminal building at an estimated cost of ₹723 crores.

The new terminal will be spread across 40,837 sqm area with three levels out of which the lower ground will be dedicated to remote arrival, departure and service area, the upper level will have access to the terminal and arrival and the first level will have a waiting lounge for international passengers.

The terminal will feature all the state-of-the-art facilities for travellers and will be equipped with 28 check-in counters, three passenger boarding bridges, and five conveyor belts.

Inspired by nature, the terminal design will be a shell-shaped structure depicting sea and islands.

Annually, the terminal is set to handle approximately 50 lakh passengers.

As of 2022, the new terminal is under-construction and it is about 83% completed. It is expected to be completed by June 2022. The estimated cost has gone down to ₹ 417 crores and the number of aerobridges have been increased to 4.

 

[saffronwarrior]

VEER SAVARKAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - TERMINAL 2
View attachment 148013
The statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced the construction of a new terminal building at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, the gateway to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

AAI has decided to undertake the development of the new terminal building at an estimated cost of ₹723 crores.

The new terminal will be spread across 40,837 sqm area with three levels out of which the lower ground will be dedicated to remote arrival, departure and service area, the upper level will have access to the terminal and arrival and the first level will have a waiting lounge for international passengers.

The terminal will feature all the state-of-the-art facilities for travellers and will be equipped with 28 check-in counters, three passenger boarding bridges, and five conveyor belts.

Inspired by nature, the terminal design will be a shell-shaped structure depicting sea and islands.

Annually, the terminal is set to handle approximately 50 lakh passengers.

As of 2022, the new terminal is under-construction and it is about 83% completed. It is expected to be completed by June 2022. The estimated cost has gone down to ₹ 417 crores and the number of aerobridges have been increased to 4.

Images of Under Construction Veer Savarkar International Airport Terminal 2 (AUGUST 2021)

 

[FalconSlayers]

It will take decades but givernment should take this very seriously

 

[Shuturmurg]

IIG | National Infrastructure Pipeline

indiainvestmentgrid.gov.in

DPR under progress it seems.

 

[FalconSlayers]

IIG | National Infrastructure Pipeline

indiainvestmentgrid.gov.in

DPR under progress it seems.

Had this been taken care of decades ago, undoubtedly today Nicobar Islands would’ve looked like Hong Kong and Singapore.

 

[saffronwarrior]

Chennai-Andaman Optical Fiber Cable

It is a 2,313 km long submarine optical fiber cable, which will provide high-speed internet services to Andaman & Nicobar Islands of India. While up to 400 Gb/s internet speed will be available in Port Blair, up to 200 Gb/s speed will be accessible in other islands.
With the foundation stone for the project laid on December 30, 2018 at Port Blair, this project has been executed by BSNL in the record period of just 20 months. The cost of implementation of the undersea cable laid between Chennai and Port Blair is Rs 1,224 crore.

"A country which has better network of ports and their connectivity will be able to provide a boost to trade in the 21st Century. Today, when India is moving forward with the resolve of self-sufficiency and is establishing itself as an important player in the Global Supply and Value Chain, it is very important to strengthen our network of Waterways and our Ports." - Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The government's focus is also on promoting Ease of Business in the sea and simplifying Maritime Logistics. The speedy construction of the deep draft inner harbor and the proposal to construct TransShipment Port in Great Nicobar at an estimated cost of about Rs 10,000 crore would enable big ships to anchor and would increase India's share in maritime trade, along with new employment opportunities.

According to experts, the move will open up a host of opportunities for India in the ASEAN region, where China provides a majority of the submarine optical fibre. Andaman optical fiber may pitch India as alternative to China in ASEAN region.

 

[FalconSlayers]

Great oppurtunity

 

[FalconSlayers]

'Choking China' - India's Strategic Islands Get A $3.4B Investment As QUAD Allies Look To Tame The Dragon

Japan’s grant of $3.42 billion (¥4.02 billion) to stabilize the electricity supply in India’s strategically located Andaman and Nicobar Islands in March 2021 highlights the islands’ vital geopolitical location for both India and QUAD partners. “China Is Watching” – With AI-Powered Satellites &...

eurasiantimes.com

 

[FalconSlayers]

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port asked to prepare report on Nicobar hub

This international container transhipment terminal is part of Narendra Modi government’s plan to bring down India’s dependence on overseas ports for international trade

www.telegraphindia.com

 

[FalconSlayers]

RR started already ....
Now time for some PILs ......

14.2 mn TEU, damn, would be among top 11 ports in the world.

 

[FalconSlayers]

Airport, container depot, township in 16,610 hectares of pristine Nicobar cleared

The Great Nicobar Island was declared as a biosphere reserve in January 1989 by the Centre and included in the Unesco man and biosphere programme in May 2013. It is considered a global biodiversity hotspot, which explains the strong opposition to the project from several quarters.

m.economictimes.com

Environment clearance for Great Nicobar port done. This is the 2nd transhipment port (where biggest container ships can dock), after the under construction Kerala one.

@Shuturmurg

 

[FalconSlayers]

@Blademaster

 

[FalconSlayers]

Nature of the Project
Great Nicobar is an integrated urban development project planned on a pristine tropical island with exceptional natural and cultural assets and distinct economic advantages. The project will (1) strengthen India’s presence in the Andaman Sea and the Southeast Asian region and (2) create an economic hub in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands that functions simultaneously as a major cargo transshipment centre and a global tourism destination.

This project is in fact four ‘interlinked’ projects that together constitute the new Greenfield city at Great Nicobar. The four projects are the port, airport, power plant, and township. Each of these four projects is considered separately — and together, as an integrated whole — in each section of this pre-feasibility report. From an environmental assessment perspective, the port is considered the primary project.

For several reasons, successful development of Great Nicobar Island requires a sensitive, holistic approach. First, the island is home to a dwindling number of indigenous people whose traditional culture is considered an international resource. Development plans must not only consider the impact of growth on these people, but also be formulated in order to generate benefits for them as well as for future in- migrants and investors. Second, the world-class ecological resources must be conserved and enhanced during the proposed integrated development at Great Nicobar Island.

While it is clear that development on Great Nicobar will have environmental impacts, the holistic master plan must enable environmentally and socio-culturally sustainable development and identify effective mitigating measures for any anticipated negative impacts. A systematic and thorough method for evaluating the socio-cultural and environmental impacts of different planning infrastructure project proposals has been employed.

Trade-offs are identified and quantified, and alternatives that perform better from a socio-cultural and environmental perspective are prioritised. The preferred alternatives will be those that strike the appropriate balance between the environmental, social, and economic goals of the project.


Need for the Project and Its Importance
Great Nicobar Island is a jewel of an island, the development of which can address several pressing concerns related to maritime security, economic growth, and quality of life for the local population.

The development of Great Nicobar Island is significant from the point of view of national security. This is in light of the ongoing consolidation of the Indian Ocean region and the military and economic impact of this consideration. The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in general and the Indian Ocean in particular has turned into a strategic hotspot in recent years. In response to the increasing strategic value of this IOR, a critical mass of development in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is necessary for strengthening India’s regional presence.

In addition, Great Nicobar Island represents a significant economic development opportunity. The main east-west shipping route that links East Asian exports with the Indian Ocean, Suez Canal and Europe runs just to the south of Great Nicobar Island, the southernmost landmass in India. By building a container port in this location, India can participate more fully in the global shipping trade, creating employment opportunities for its citizens and improving quality of life for current and future residents of Great Nicobar Island.

 

[FalconSlayers]

All megaprojects of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

 

[Coalmine]

It seems a great place. People of all Indic faiths and language live here

 

[Shuturmurg]

Btw, we were also building Sabang port in Indonesia, which is just 40-50 miles from this Nicobar port. Does anyone know what happened to that ?

ASEAN: Eyeing Southeast Asia, India builds port in Indonesia

The Sabang port is being developed in partnership with neighbour and strategic partner Indonesia.

economictimes.indiatimes.com

 

[NoobWannaLearn]

A question occured to me can some portion of Andaman and Nicobar be turned into hotels or resorts like Maldives to boost tourism?

 

[Butter Chicken]

Project location