The BRICS TimesCongress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands this weekend. He will first land in Sri Vijaya Puram on April 26 before heading to Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar by helicopter. The visit comes after tribal communities raised serious concerns over the controversial Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project.
Rahul Gandhi arriving in Sri Vijaya Puram on April 26 morning
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is set to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands this weekend. He will arrive in Sri Vijaya Puram on April 26 at around 8 am from Kolkata. Soon after a brief halt there, he will fly to Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar by helicopter on the same day.
During his stay in Great Nicobar, Gandhi is expected to visit Galathia Bay and Indira Point. He will spend the night at Campbell Bay before returning to Sri Vijaya Puram the following morning on April 27.
Congress planning roadshow and worker rally in Sri Vijaya Puram
Party leaders are planning a roadshow from the helipad, passing through key areas including Bazaar and Junglighaat in Sri Vijaya Puram. This will be followed by a Karyakarta meet at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium. Gandhi is expected to return to the mainland the day after completing his island engagements.
However, the Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC) President Rangalal Halder said no official confirmation of the visit has been received so far.
Visit was originally planned for April 24 but hit logistical hurdle
Interestingly, Gandhi’s initial plan was to fly directly to Great Nicobar Island by private jet on April 24. That plan could not materialise due to logistical reasons. A revised itinerary involving a stop at Sri Vijaya Puram was then worked out.
The visit holds significant political weight. It follows weeks of pressure from tribal communities living near the proposed mega project.
Tribal delegation had earlier met Gandhi in New Delhi
In March 2026, a delegation from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands met Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi. The delegation included members of the Tribal Council from Nicobar district, ANTCC Campaign Committee Chairman G. Bhasker, and Vikrant Bhuria, National Chairman of the All India Adivasi Congress.
During the meeting, the delegation raised serious concerns about the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project. They pointed to its likely impact on the fragile island ecosystem and indigenous tribal communities.
“I will stand with them, raise their issues in Parliament, and visit the islands to understand the reality on the ground,” Gandhi had said. He added that development should empower people, not displace them.
Over 800 families, including PVTGs, face displacement fears
The tribal leaders told Gandhi that more than 800 families stand to be affected by the project. This includes people from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) such as the Shompen, whose total population is estimated to be between 200 and 300.
G. Bhasker further alleged that the government had “cheated” the tribal communities. He claimed officials obtained their No Objection Certificate without disclosing full details of the project.
What is the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project?
The Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project is a government initiative that envisions a transhipment port, an international airport, a power plant, and a township. It spans more than 160 sq km, including around 130 sq km of forest. The government positions it as crucial to national security and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 goals.
The National Green Tribunal recently dismissed petitions challenging its environmental clearance. A six-member bench ruled that sufficient safeguards had been incorporated into the project.
Congress and BJP sharply divided on the project
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had earlier criticised the project. She described it as a “planned misadventure” threatening the survival of indigenous communities and undermining due process.
Rahul Gandhi also called it “a misadventure, trampling on tribal rights and making a mockery of legal and deliberative processes.”
The government, however, has firmly defended the project. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav maintained that all statutory clearances were duly obtained.
Titus Peter, First Captain of Pulobhabi village in Campbell Bay, urged the government to take local concerns into account. He said people in Great Nicobar are facing considerable hardship due to the proposed project.
