Congress MP Manickam Tagore Challenges Rijiju Over Andaman Project

The tension centers on the government’s push for a mega-project that Rahul Gandhi recently labeled an ecological disaster. While the Centre maintains the development is a strategic necessity for national security and global shipping, critics argue it bypasses the Forest Rights Act and threatens to displace indigenous tribes. Gandhi has highlighted the potential destruction of 1.5 crore trees and coral reefs, suggesting the project prioritizes commercial interests over the environmental health of the archipelago.

Tagore’s critique extends beyond the project itself, pointing to a decade of neglect regarding local infrastructure. He noted that residents have spent 12 years lobbying for affordable airfares, regular shipping, and improved healthcare, yet these basic needs remain unaddressed. By framing the minister’s 'Pragati Padh Yatra' as a smokescreen, the Congress party is signaling a shift toward highlighting the gap between official development claims and the lived reality of islanders. The ongoing dispute underscores a broader clash over whether the islands’ future should be defined by high-stakes strategic infrastructure or the preservation of its unique biological and social fabric.