Centre approves ₹13,000 crore greenfield airport at Great Nicobar Island
The Centre has approved a ₹13,000 crore investment for the construction of a greenfield airport at Great Nicobar Island, marking a significant step in India’s efforts to strengthen infrastructure and strategic capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
The airport will be developed as a dual-use facility, catering to both civilian and military operations under the broader Great Nicobar development project. Officials said the project is aimed at enhancing regional connectivity, supporting economic growth and reinforcing India’s strategic presence in a geopolitically important maritime zone.
The proposed airport is expected to be completed within the next five years. Once operational, it will improve access to the remote island territory, facilitate tourism and trade, and provide critical support for disaster relief and emergency response operations in the region.
Given Great Nicobar’s location near key international shipping routes, the airport is also expected to strengthen India’s defence preparedness and surveillance capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region. The project forms part of a larger plan to transform Great Nicobar into a major hub for infrastructure, logistics and maritime activities.
The development is seen as a key component of India’s long-term vision to improve connectivity in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago while advancing strategic and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific.
