Great Nicobar Airport: A boost to India’s defence, connectivity

Planned as a dual-use facility, the Modi Government has prepared an ambitious plan for the construction of a dual-use greenfield international airport at Great Nicobar that will play an important role in the country’s national security while improving connectivity in the Indian Ocean Region. Great Nicobar is the southernmost and largest of the Nicobar Islands.

According to the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared for the strategic airport, it will be developed as a dual-use military airfield with the control of the airside and Air Traffic Control with the Indian Navy and civil apron control and associated passenger-related facilities with the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The DPR also mentioned the Great Nicobar Development Plan, which is a massive infrastructure

plan envisaged by the Government and includes a major trans-shipment port, airport and future strategic defence for the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island.

The population of Great Nicobar Island is projected to reach around 6.5 lakh by 2050. Of this, about 3.25 lakh is expected during Phase 1 between 2025 and 2040, with another 4 lakh added in Phase 2 from 2041 to 2055. By 2075, the population is estimated to rise to 13-15 lakh. The broader development plan includes hotels, resorts, dining and retail facilities concentrated in coastal urban hubs.

The current population of the island is only around 6,500. The island’s marine and forest ecosystems are expected to support eco-tourism and scientific research, alongside economic activity. The documents estimate that investments linked to the airport, a proposed trans-shipment hub, and tourism facilities could create about 1,05,000 direct jobs by 2050. A further 1,57,700 jobs are expected through indirect employment in services and support sectors.

Located near the crucial Six Degree Channel, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, the airport is projected to enhance India’s surveillance and response capabilities across the eastern Indian Ocean.  

It will enable operations by larger military aircraft and sharply reduce response times, particularly as the nearest civilian airport in Port Blair is over 500 km away.

The site is surrounded by hills, and necessary site grading has been planned to facilitate safe aircraft operations. The flight path of the aircraft will run over the sea, and there will be minimal disturbance due to the overflying of aircraft at low altitude. The runway at this site is oriented in an approximate north/south direction, which is suitable for the prevailing wind direction, according to the DPR.

Apart from strategic needs, the airport will ensure ease of connectivity and hence present a great opportunity for tourism-oriented development that would put Andaman and Nicobar Islands on the map of global tourist destinations as well, according to the DPR.

The Indian mainland is at least 1,500 km from this island, with cities like Delhi ranging at a distance of approximately 3,000 km, while Calcutta and Mumbai are located at a distance of 1,850 and 2,250 km respectively. Singapore, Vietnam, Bali, etc are within a range of 1,000 to 1,500 km from the proposed airport.

The Great Nicobar Island is situated at the foot of the Andaman and Nicobar islands and extends from Ranganatha Bay on the east coast to southwards to Galathea Bay and around the corner of Indira Point to Pemayya Bay.

The island of Sumatra is located barely at a distance of 180 km to the south of the Indira point which is also known as the southernmost tip of India. The island covers a total area of approximately 910 sq km with the majority of the island designated as ‘Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve’.

The proposed site is located along the sea in between Gandhi Nagar and Shastri Nagar area on the South side of the Island. The site is accessible by a road connecting Galathea Bay to Campbell Bay at a distance of approximately 30 km from Campbell Bay. The island’s original inhabitants are the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes.