FAQs on the Project:
Q: What is the Great Nicobar Project’s goal?
A: It aims to establish a strategic trans-shipment port in Galathea Bay, enhancing India’s maritime trade capabilities and providing a competitive alternative to regional hubs.
Q: How much will the project’s first phase cost?
A: The initial phase is budgeted at Rs.18,000 crore, reflecting its large scale and strategic importance.
Q: What benefits will the port bring?
A: With a 4 million TEUs capacity, it will boost trade efficiency, reduce shipment times, and serve as a key node in maritime logistics.
Q: What are the key features of the first phase?
A: It includes constructing breakwaters, dredging for navigable depth, and building essential port infrastructure.
Q: When will the project begin?
A: The tendering process is anticipated to commence within the next 30-40 days.
Q: Why is this project strategically important?
A: Its location is pivotal for India’s maritime trade, potentially shifting regional shipping dynamics and attracting global commerce.
Q: What impact will it have on regional shipping?
A: The project is expected to realign shipping routes, serving as a feeder to major Indian ports and neighboring countries, thus enhancing regional maritime trade efficiency.
Key Port Infrastructure Terms Defined
Trans-shipment Port:
A hub for transferring cargo from large international vessels to smaller regional ones, crucial for optimizing shipping efficiency.
Breakwaters:
Structures built to protect harbors from wave energy, ensuring calmer waters for safe port operations.
Dredging:
The process of excavating and removing underwater sediments to maintain or increase the depth of waterways, crucial for the accessibility of large shipping vessels.
These insights and definitions collectively underscore the scale and potential impact of the Great Nicobar project on India’s maritime infrastructure and its regional economic influence.
