Tribals oppose Great Nicobar Mega Project, Centre reviewing their concerns, says Minister Jual Oram
New Delhi: The Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Monday confirmed that his ministry is scrutinising objections raised by the Nicobarese and Shompen people regarding the controversial 'Holistic Development of Great Nicobar' project. The plan proposes infrastructural developments whch includes a transshipment port, international airport, township and power plant, across more than 160 sq km of the ecologically rich island.
The proposed diversion of over 130 sq km of pristine forest land, which falls within areas inhabited and traditionally protected by the Nicobarese and Shompen tribes, both listed as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). These communities deeply rooted in the island’s ecology and culture, have voiced strong objections over the potential destruction of their ancestral land, sacred ecosystems, and way of life.
Speaking to reporters, Minister Oram acknowledged that the concerns are now under official review. “Yes, it is under examination… First, we need to determine whether the gram sabha (tribal council) was held, what it recommended, and whether there have been any violations,” he said.
The Tribal Council of Little and Great Nicobar, an elected body with statutory powers, had initially issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in August 2022 for denotifying a portion of tribal reserve land. It later withdrew the NOC, alleging that authorities had concealed critical information while seeking clearance raising serious questions about transparency and consent.
As per the Andaman and Nicobar (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956, over 853 sq km of Great Nicobar’s land is designated as a tribal reserve. Here the tribals hold exclusive rights. These rights are a legal safeguard intended to protect Indigenous people's autonomy and cultural integrity by banning the sale, transfer, or acquisition of their lands.
The Shompen tribe, isolated from the outside world, relies on these forests for food, medicine, identity, language, and social systems. Any disruption to their natural habitat has the potential to permanently destroy their precarious and vulnerable life.
Though the state asserts that the project will not disturb or displace the Shompens, experts and tribal rights campaigners believe that such a claim is illogical because the very forest that nourishes the tribe is at risk.
For the Nicobarese as well, whose lands and lives are tied to their environment, the project raises fear of their extintion. The forced imposition of industrial infrastructure in a region protected for tribal self-governance violates the spirit of both the Constitution and international conventions on Indigenous rights.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs says consultations are underway but the tribal leaders and advocates insist that no development should proceed without free, prior, and informed consent.
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Mumbai-Pune Expressway connecting link now fully operational
Mumbai (PTI): The Mumbai-bound carriageway of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway connecting link was opened to vehicular traffic on Saturday noon after a delay caused by the dismantling of inauguration infrastructure and cleaning work, a day after the Pune section became operational.
The 13.3 km-long "missing link", which bypasses a section of the Bhor Ghat stretch of the expressway and cuts travel time between Mumbai and Pune by 25 to 30 minutes, was inaugurated a day earlier by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar.
The Pune-bound carriageway of the corridor was opened to traffic immediately; however, the Mumbai-bound section remained closed to traffic for several hours after the inauguration.
An official of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation told PTI on Saturday that the opening of the Mumbai-bound carriageway was delayed mainly due to the dismantling of the inauguration infrastructure and cleaning work.
The removal of the stage and other decorations was completed in the morning. The work to load and transport the material slightly delayed the opening of the carriageway.
Vehicular movement on the carriageway began after all the remaining material was cleared and road cleaning was completed, the official added.
The expressway control room said that despite significant vehicular movement, the access-controlled highway has not witnessed any major traffic snarls since Friday evening, after the Pune-bound carriageway of the missing link was opened to traffic.
The Missing Link project connects Khopoli (in Raigad) on the Mumbai side to Kusgaon near Lonavala in Pune district and is expected to make the expressway fully access-controlled, easing congestion in the ghat section.
Developed by the MSRDC and dubbed an "engineering marvel", the project includes two tunnels, two viaducts and a cable-stayed bridge over Tiger Valley. It bypasses the steep, accident-prone ghat section, where frequent traffic snarls are reported during weekends and on public holidays.
