**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1302 on July 28, 2025, regarding the Rs. 72,000 crore Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project (GNIP), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change confirms that a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) were conducted. The EIA/EMP report was submitted as part of the application for Environmental Clearance (EC) and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Clearance. An independent Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), comprising experts in science, marine ecology, and engineering, undertook a detailed appraisal of the report. Environmental Clearance was granted on November 11, 2022, subject to 42 specific conditions designed to protect the environment, including marine and terrestrial biodiversity. The clearance mandates the formation of three committees to address pollution, biodiversity, and the welfare of the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes.
Key Entities Referenced
Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project: A Rs.72,000 crore infrastructure project planned for Great Nicobar Island.
Environment Impact Assessment: A study to assess the environmental impacts of the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project.
SHRI EATALA RAJENDER: Member of Parliament who raised a question in Lok Sabha regarding the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Environmental Management Plan: A plan to mitigate the environmental impacts of the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project.
EIA Notification, 2006: Notification outlining the requirement for Environmental Impact Assessment for projects.
Great Nicobar Island: The island where the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project is planned. It is located in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Coastal Regulation Zone: Area along the coast that requires clearance for developmental activities
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1302
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project
1302. SHRI EATALA RAJENDER:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study has been carried out for the
Rs.72,000 crore Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project (GNIP); and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the present status thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) and (b) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report along with Environmental
Management Plan (EMP) is a prime requirement for the grant of prior environmental
clearance for the projects and/or activities listed in the Schedule of EIA Notification, 2006.
Regarding Great Nicobar Island Development project, detailed Environment Impact
Assessment studies were carried out and the EIA/EMP report was submitted along with
application for seeking prior Environmental Clearance (EC) and Coastal Regulation Zone
(CRZ) Clearance.
A detailed appraisal of the EIA/EMP report of the project was undertaken by an independent
Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) comprising of domain experts in the field of science,
marine ecology and engineering. The Environmental Clearance was accorded on 11.11.2022
and it contains as many as 42 specific conditions dealing with each component of the project
for safeguarding the environment including marine and terrestrial biodiversity. Besides, the
specific conditions include the formation of 3 specific committees related to pollution related
matters, biodiversity related matters and the issues related to welfare of Shompen and
Nicobarese tribes.
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