Jairam seeks clarification on Great Nicobar Island project’s transhipment port

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who has been raising concerns over the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) project, has written a letter to Union minister Sarbanand Sonowal, seeking clarifications on the development of a transhipment port under the project.

In his letter to the ports, shipping and waterways minister, Ramesh urged him to share the details of the timeline for the floating of tenders to invite private participation for the development of the International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay, Great Nicobar Island, and the final selection of the private co-owner and operator for the venture.

Ramesh also asked whether 100 per cent private shareholding will be allowed since the minimum private shareholding is set at 55 per cent.  “I am writing to you as one among the very large number of people concerned with the ecological devastation that will be caused by the Great Nicobar Island Project,” the former environment minister said. “You are aware that the Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee of the Ministry of Finance had met on March 17, 2026, and March 19, 2026, to consider the proposal of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for the development of an international container transhipment port at Galathea Bay, Great Nicobar Island.

“Para 15 vii of the record of discussions of this meeting issued on April 2, 2026, States that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways itself had identified two major risks that are: the development of a large-scale greenfield port project and the challenge of diverting and establishing transhipment traffic well-established ports,” Ramesh said.