The Indian government approved the construction of a ₹13,000 crore [1] greenfield civil-military airport on Great Nicobar Island.
The facility is designed to enhance regional connectivity while expanding India's strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean. By integrating civilian and military capabilities, the project allows the Indian Navy to maintain a more permanent and responsive presence in a critical maritime corridor.
Located near Galathea Bay at Chingen, the dual-use airport is a primary component of the broader Great Nicobar Project. This larger infrastructure initiative carries a total budget of ₹81,000 crore [2]. The development focuses on transforming the remote island into a hub for logistics and security.
Government officials said the airport will boost maritime security and improve the ability of the state to monitor regional waters. The project follows a strategic doctrine of creating depth in the Indian Ocean to counter regional instabilities, a move that aligns with India's long-term defense goals.
Construction of the airport is part of a wider effort to modernize the islands' infrastructure. The government said the project would facilitate faster deployment of naval assets and provide a reliable transit point for civilian aircraft, reducing the isolation of the Great Nicobar region.
The approval was reported on May 3, 2024 [3], marking a significant step in the island's development. The project intends to balance the needs of commercial aviation with the operational requirements of the Indian Navy to ensure stability in the surrounding seas.
“The Indian government approved the construction of a ₹13,000 crore greenfield civil-military airport on Great Nicobar Island.”
The establishment of a dual-use airport on Great Nicobar Island signals India's intent to project power further south into the Indian Ocean. By combining civilian infrastructure with naval capabilities, India can maintain a persistent surveillance and response capability near the Malacca Strait, one of the world's most vital shipping lanes, effectively increasing its strategic depth against regional competitors.
