The Aryavarth Express
New Delhi: The government has initiated work on a new airport at the southernmost tip of India on Great Nicobar Island, a development expected to significantly strengthen India’s defence preparedness and unlock major tourism and economic potential in the region, according to official documents.
The proposed airport will be capable of handling larger military aircraft, substantially reducing response times for defence operations in the Indian Ocean Region — a strategically vital area. Currently, the nearest major airport, Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, is located more than 500 kilometres away.
As per the project plan, the airport is being developed with a long-term vision while ensuring practical and achievable short-term implementation. The focus is on creating a balanced, sustainable, flexible, and cost-effective aviation hub that can accommodate projected growth in air traffic while optimising land use.
The site layout has been designed after careful evaluation of land contours and drainage patterns, with infrastructure positioned to minimise environmental disturbance and balance excavation and filling requirements. Sustainable design principles and construction efficiency have been central to the planning process.
Officials said the airport is expected to act as a catalyst for regional economic development by improving connectivity, facilitating faster movement of people and goods, and boosting trade and commerce. Employment generation is projected to rise sharply, starting from the construction phase and continuing through long-term settlement and economic activity.
According to estimates, investments in the airport, trans-shipment hub, tourism infrastructure, and allied sectors could generate around 1.05 lakh direct jobs by 2050. An additional 1.57 lakh jobs are expected to be created through indirect and multiplier effects across service and support industries.
The total population potential of Great Nicobar Island by 2050 is estimated at around 6.5 lakh. Of this, nearly 3.25 lakh growth is expected during Phase 1 (2025–2040), with the remaining increase during Phase 2 (2041–2055). Over the next 25 years, the population could double further to reach approximately 13–15 lakh by 2075.
The broader development blueprint includes the creation of tourism infrastructure such as hotels, resorts, dining, shopping, and entertainment hubs along the coast, many with direct beach access. The island’s rich eco-tourism offerings — spanning pristine marine ecosystems, beaches, and dense tropical forests — are expected to attract global tourists while emphasising environmentally responsible development.
Great Nicobar is also recognised as one of India’s most significant biodiversity hotspots due to the high concentration of unique species within a limited geographical area. The project aims to balance economic growth with conservation, supporting scientific research and sustainable development.
Strategically, the airport’s location near the Six Degree Channel — a critical international shipping route — enhances its importance. Destinations such as Singapore, Vietnam, and Bali lie within 1,000–1,500 kilometres, while Indian cities like Kolkata and Mumbai are around 1,850 kilometres and 2,250 kilometres away, respectively.
According to traffic assessment and master plan documents, several international destinations will be closer to the proposed airport than many parts of mainland India, positioning Great Nicobar Island as a key strategic, defence, and tourism hub on the global map.
