Nicobar road plan 'benefits' all, says key report despite tribal concerns

NEW DELHI: The final social impact assessment (SIA) report for the Trunk Infrastructure Road Project in Great Nicobar Island (GNI) has concluded that the proposed acquisition of 87.7902 hectares of private land for the construction of theTrunk InfrastructureRoad is beneficial to all stakeholders.

- Jayashree Nandi

“When the proposed Trunk Infrastructure Road (main road & subsidiary roads) becomes operational, all the direct and indirect costs likely to be incurred by any of the stakeholders, if any, will be negligible in comparison to the benefits accrued due to it," said the report, a copy of which has been reviewed by HT. It was prepared by the Ranchi-based Atlas Management Consultancy Services (AMCS) Private Limited.

"With extremely limited employment opportunities clashing with the high aspirations of the new generation, out migration... was rampant. There was an urgent need to re-define the economic fabric of GNI with future of the local people in the horizon. ...Being mindful of addressing the sensitivities of traditions, tribal lives along with the aspirations and potential of the area, these people of t GNI cannot be denied inclusive growth and development opportunities," it added.

The final report said that in compliance with Section 5 of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, two public hearing meetings were conducted as per procedure. Prior information regarding the public hearing meeting was given to all land owners, 21 days in advance through various mediums. Members of the Tribal Council of Little and Great Nicobar also attended the meeting but their views have not been recorded in the report according to co-attendees. The concerns raised by the Tribal Council was mainly on how the trunk infrastructure project will impact tribal areas.

HT could not reach out to AMCS on Friday despite several attempts. HT has also sent queries to the firm, but did not receive a response till the time of going to print.