On January 30, 2026, the Congress party accused the Modi government of aggressively pushing the Great Nicobar project without transparency. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, said the government is moving the Galathea Bay International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) forward as a public-private partnership. He claimed the project has "disastrous ecological impacts" and is being "bulldozed" despite court petitions and environmental concerns. Mr. Ramesh revealed the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways proposed involving private players, naming a major conglomerate that operates 13 ports in India, with the Prime Minister’s support. The Congress pointed out the government refuses to share key project details citing national security, which shows a lack of public transparency for political convenience. The Great Nicobar project has also faced legal challenges in the Calcutta High Court and National Green Tribunal. Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, called the project a "planned misadventure" that threatens indigenous tribes and breaches legal processes. She said the government is "making a mockery of all legal and deliberative processes." Meanwhile, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav defended the project, stating that all clearances were granted and called it necessary for India's development.