Nicobar report not public due to strategic info

NGT FORMED THE PANEL LAST YEAR TO REVISIT THE CLEARANCE GRANTED TO THE GREAT NICOBAR INFRA PROJECT

- Jayashree Nandi

NEW DELHI: The report of the National Green Tribunal (NGT)-appointed high-powered committee (HPC) on the Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project has not been made public as it takes into account issues and facts related to the strategic, defence and national security of the country, the Union environment ministry has informed the Rajya Sabha.

"The decision on the proposal involving development of Great Nicobar Island project has been taken after due consideration of potential environmental impacts on all the environmental components of the project including the tribal population residing on the island and also taking into account the significant strategic, defence and national importance of the developmental projects," Kirti Vardhan Singh, minister of state for environment, told the Upper House in a written reply on Thursday.