Supreme Court allows Great Nicobar project challenge to proceed in Calcutta HC

The Supreme Court has allowed the challenge to the ₹92,000 crore Great Nicobar project to proceed in the Calcutta High Court. The bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana did not interfere with the ongoing proceedings, which involve environmental and statutory issues raised in public interest petitions against the project.

The Supreme Court acknowledged that the case raises concerns over tribal rights, cultural identity, and the ecological impact of the mega infrastructure project. The Centre had challenged the Calcutta High Court's rejection of its preliminary objection to the maintainability of the petitions, arguing that petitioner Meena Gupta, a retired IAS officer, lacked direct cause of action in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

However, the high court disagreed, stating that public interest litigation could be pursued by individuals representing vulnerable communities. The project, which includes a container trans-shipment terminal, airport, power plant, and township, is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity and economic activity on Great Nicobar Island, close to the Strait of Malacca.

The challenges raised by the petitioners primarily concern forest diversion, coral reef and mangrove damage, threats to endangered species, compliance with coastal-zone regulations, and the project's cumulative impact on the island's fragile ecosystem. The Calcutta High Court will hear the petitions on November 25-26, determining whether the project can proceed without further judicial intervention.