Phase One of the Great Nicobar port to begin by 2028, says the Shipping Minister

16 October 2026

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the Great Nicobar transhipment port will not be stopped and that Phase One will start by 2028.
The project is awaiting Cabinet approval after clearance by the Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee of the finance ministry.
The first two phases have been cleared at nearly Rs 48,862 crore, with viability gap funding of about Rs 12,230 crore, and the developer is to be chosen by who seeks the lowest viability gap funding.
It will be a joint venture, 55 per cent owned by an Indian-owned and controlled entity and 45 per cent by select central government-owned major ports.
The government's case is that the port places India near the Strait of Malacca, since about three-fourths of India's transhipment cargo currently moves through foreign ports.
The Minister said the leatherback sea turtle breeding zone has been protected and concerns about the coral zone addressed.