Draft master plan projects tourism as key growth driver for Great Nicobar Island

New Delhi: The Centre’s draft master plan for the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) has placed tourism at the forefront of the island’s future, outlining a vision for large-scale development under the ₹92,000-crore mega-infrastructure project. The plan, which has been notified for public suggestions, aims to use tourism as the “primary economic driver” while encouraging new residents to settle on the island through jobs created by the project.

According to the draft, GNI is being planned for a projected population of 3.36 lakh by 2055. By that time, authorities expect the island to host more than one million tourists annually. The plan notes that both permanent and temporary employment opportunities linked to tourism and allied sectors will support the population growth.

Of the projected 3.36 lakh residents, the local Nicobarese population is expected to increase from the current 7,500 to about 11,500 by 2055. The document indicates that the development strategy will balance economic expansion with settlement goals, positioning Great Nicobar as a major destination in the years ahead. The draft master plan is now open for suggestions as the next step in the planning process.