Sri Vijaya Puram, July 27: The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray has submitted a detailed representation to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah seeking their kind and urgent intervention to ensure fair compensation, proper rehabilitation and livelihood protection for the families affected by the proposed Greenfield International Airport under the Great Nicobar Infrastructure (GNI) Project.
While expressing sincere gratitude to the Government of India for launching the historic Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project, Shri Ray stated that the project is of immense national strategic importance and will significantly strengthen India’s maritime security, connectivity and economic growth. He appreciated the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister for according unprecedented importance to the comprehensive development of Great Nicobar Island.
The MP clarified that the affected families of Gandhi Nagar and Shastri Nagar are not opposing the GNI Project. They fully support this nationally important initiative and are willing to cooperate with the Government. Their only request is that the land acquisition process should be carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013, ensuring fair compensation, proper rehabilitation, livelihood security and employment opportunities.
Shri Ray pointed out that most of the affected families are ex-servicemen settler families who were rehabilitated by the Government in the late 1970s and have already suffered repeated displacement, including after the 2004 Tsunami. They are now facing displacement for the third time due to the proposed airport project. Considering their extraordinary sacrifices in safeguarding India’s southern maritime frontier for decades under difficult conditions, he stated that they deserve a more liberal and compassionate rehabilitation package.
The MP also stated that several claims and objections submitted by the affected families against the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) Report have not yet been fully examined after providing them an opportunity of hearing as required under the RFCTLARR Act, 2013. He cautioned that finalising the Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R) Package without completing the mandatory legal process may lead to avoidable disputes and delay in the implementation of this prestigious national project.
Shri Ray further observed that the draft R&R Package prepared by the UT Administration does not adequately address the genuine concerns of the affected families. He expressed concern that the land valuation has been based on outdated circle rates notified in the year 2000 instead of adopting a fair market value. He suggested that the land value determined during the 2006 Tsunami rehabilitation process, along with appropriate appreciation and statutory benefits, should also be considered while determining compensation.
The MP further highlighted that rehabilitation packages provided for Greenfield Airport projects in several other States are comparatively more beneficial, despite those projects not carrying the same level of national strategic importance as the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project. He urged that the affected families in Great Nicobar should receive a rehabilitation package commensurate with their unique sacrifices and the national significance of the project.
Shri Bishnu Pada Ray also recalled that during the visit of Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in January 2026, he had personally raised the issue of fair compensation and rehabilitation for the affected families. After hearing the matter, the Hon’ble Home Minister had assured that the Government would consider providing a fair and just compensation and rehabilitation package. The MP has requested that this assurance may kindly be honoured while finalising the R&R Package.
In his representation, Shri Ray has requested the Hon’ble Home Minister to convene, at the earliest, a meeting under his chairmanship with the participation of the UT Administration, the Member of Parliament and representatives of the affected families, including their Association, so that their concerns may be heard directly and a fair, lawful and mutually acceptable Rehabilitation & Resettlement Package may be finalised.
The MP expressed confidence that if the genuine concerns of the affected families are addressed in a fair, transparent and humanitarian manner, they will fully cooperate with the Government, thereby ensuring the smooth, timely and litigation-free implementation of the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project in the larger national interest.