Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has urged the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to release a 2025 committee report concerning environmental clearances for the ₹81,000 crore Great Nicobar Island Project. This demand coincides with the upcoming consideration of the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. The project remains under scrutiny due to potential environmental impacts and concerns regarding its regulatory approval process.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has publicly requested the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to release the findings of a High-Powered Committee report submitted on July 8, 2025. This report evaluated the environmental approvals granted to the Great Nicobar Island Project, a large-scale infrastructure development initiative. Ramesh has characterized the project, which is estimated to cost approximately ₹81,000 crore, as ecologically concerning and alleged that the NGT's previous clearance was influenced by this report, which has not yet been made public.
The timing of this demand is significant, as the Lok Sabha is scheduled to discuss the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026. This proposed legislation seeks to implement Supreme Court directives by establishing a National Tribunals Commission to oversee appointments and operations across 16 semi-judicial bodies, including the NGT. Proponents of the bill aim to enhance the independence, transparency, and uniformity of these tribunals, while critics and opposition leaders continue to emphasize the need for greater legislative oversight to prevent the bypassing of scrutiny.
The Great Nicobar Island Project, being implemented by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO), is a strategic mega-infrastructure plan. The scope of work includes the development of a transshipment port, an international airport, a power plant, and a township. For infrastructure and construction investors, the project represents a significant long-term capital outlay. However, the project has faced consistent regulatory and environmental headwinds since its inception.
The key risks associated with such a large-scale development include potential delays arising from environmental clearance reviews, litigation regarding tribal rights for indigenous communities in the region, and the general execution challenges inherent in remote island infrastructure projects. Legal battles regarding project approvals often create uncertainty, which can lead to cost overruns or shifts in project timelines for the contractors involved.
Investors and stakeholders interested in the infrastructure sector are closely monitoring the progress of the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026. The passage of this legislation and the potential disclosure of the disputed High-Powered Committee report may have broader implications for how major infrastructure projects are reviewed by environmental tribunals in the future. The next important update will be the outcome of the legislative discussions in the Lok Sabha and any subsequent orders from the NGT regarding the release of the committee's report.