Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1072, answered on 05.12.2025, concerns the commercial trans-shipment port at Galathea Bay. Shri Manish Tewari asked the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways about the construction of a trans-shipment/commercial port at Galathea Bay on Great Nicobar Island, its economic logic, feasibility analyses, land area, impact on indigenous populations (Shompen and Nicobarese), cost-benefit and environmental/social impact assessments, and sustainable development alternatives. The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (Shri Sarbananda Sonowal) responded that the Government is planning to undertake the development of a trans-shipment port at Galathea Bay, strategically located to reduce India's reliance on foreign ports, capture Malacca Strait trade, and strengthen national economic and maritime autonomy. However, matters related to EC and CRZ for the port site at Great Nicobar are sub-judice, and providing replies to questions (b) to (e) would be inappropriate at this stage.
Key Entities Referenced
Galathea Bay: Location of a proposed commercial trans-shipment port on Great Nicobar Island, India.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development of the port at Galathea Bay.
Great Nicobar Island: The island where the proposed Galathea Bay port is to be located.
Environmental Clearance (EC): Environmental regulations relevant to the Port site.
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ): Environmental regulations relevant to the Port site.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1072
ANSWERED ON 05.12.2025
COMMERCIAL TRANS-SHIPMENT PORT AT GALATHEA BAY
1072. SHRI MANISH TEWARI :
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) whether the Government is undertaking the construction of a trans-shipment and/or
commercial port at Galathea Bay on Great Nicobar Island, if so, the details thereof including
economic logic, feasibility analyses and trade-related justifications supporting the project;
(b) the total land area, in hectares, and the estimated green cover proposed to be diverted
or removed for the port and its associated infrastructure, including terminals, warehouses,
power facilities, etc;
(c) the number of indigenous persons or communities, including the Shompen and
Nicobarese, who may be displaced or otherwise affected by the project and the details of any
approved rehabilitation or compensation plans;
(d) whether the Government or any independent bodies have carried out cost-benefit,
environmental and social impact assessments, and whether their findings are publicly
available, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government has considered sustainable development alternatives that
project ecology and indigenous rights, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) Yes sir. Government is planning to undertake the development of trans-shipment Port
at Galathea Bay. The project is strategically located and would reduce India’s reliance on
foreign ports, capture Malacca Strait trade flows, and strengthen national economic and
maritime autonomy.
(b) to (e) The matter related to the EC and CRZ for the Port site at Great Nicobar, is sub-
judice. Providing a reply on the merits of the questions would not be appropriate at this
stage.
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