In 2023, the National Green
Tribunal temporarily stayed the project and constituted a high-powered committee to revisit its clearances. However, the committee submitted its report in a sealed cover and the NGT allowed the project to proceed saving the committee had found the proiect to be compliant.
Critics, including a group of former civil servants, condemned this lack of transparency saying an environmental clearance process for a public project couldn't be treated as a state secret.
Tribal leaders continue to protest. with captains from Great Nicobar alleging publicly that they were forced by district administrations to sign "surrender certificates" for their land, further fuelling suspicions that the government is bulldozing the project through.