India defends Great Nicobar mega-project as strategic maritime asset

India's proposed Great Nicobar Islands project is being defended by defence sources as a strategically important maritime and economic development near key international shipping routes. The Rs 81,000-crore plan includes an International Container Transshipment Port, a greenfield airfield, a Naval Air Station, a township and a power plant. It has drawn criticism from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who described it as a major scam and a grave crime against natural and tribal heritage.