Galathea Bay Transshipment Port Phase I Groundbreaking Set for 2028, ₹48,862 Crore Cleared for First Two Phases
The Centre is proceeding with the proposed International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with groundbreaking for Phase I targeted for 2028. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the timeline despite continuing opposition over the project's environmental impact.
The first two phases of the project have been cleared at an estimated cost of nearly ₹48,862 crore, and will require viability gap funding (VGF) of about ₹12,230 crore from the central government. The project is currently awaiting Cabinet approval after clearance from the finance ministry's Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC).
The port will be developed as a deep-draft container transshipment facility, taking advantage of natural water depths exceeding 20 metres at the site, a feature considered important for attracting large mainline vessels and reducing India's reliance on foreign transshipment ports such as Colombo, Singapore and Port Klang. The project will be structured as a joint venture, with 55% ownership held by an Indian-owned and controlled entity and 45% by select central government-owned major ports. The developer will be selected based on the lowest VGF sought.
Beyond the port itself, the broader Great Nicobar Island master plan includes development of an international airport, power infrastructure, township facilities, and associated logistics infrastructure. The project will require diversion of about 1.82% of the total forest cover of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with compensatory afforestation planned in Haryana.