India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recently approved environmental and Coastal Regulatory Zone clearances for the establishment of a Missile Testing Launch Facility along the Bay of Bengal coast. In addition, another Technical Facility is set to be built at Gullalamoda village in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had previously proposed to install this project within the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary in Krishna district, but due to the strategic requirement and national importance of this project, it was decided it could not be located anywhere else. Consequently, it has been exempted from the public hearing as per the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification 2016.
The Importance of the Project
The inception of this missile testing facility on the Bay of Bengal coast and the technical facility in Gullalamoda village is highly significant. This approval comes in recognition of the strategic importance and national relevance of these projects, which cannot be sited in any other location. This exemption from the process of public hearings, under the stipulations of the EIA notification 2016, also underscores the importance of these projects to India’s defense and national security strategy.
Location Changes and Environmental Clearances
Originally, the DRDO had planned to house these projects in the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district. However, the projects’ clearance by the MoEFCC meant a change in location. The ministry granted environment and Coastal Regulatory Zone clearances that allowed the projects to be moved to their current proposed sites. These clearances allow for the safeguarding of the environment even as these crucial facilities are constructed and later, operationalized.
Other Missile Testing Ranges in India
India is home to several other missile testing ranges. One such notable facility is the Integrated Test Range missile testing facility off the coast of Odisha.
| Missile Testing Facility | Location |
|---|---|
| Integrated Test Range | Dr Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha |
Notable Missiles Tested
The Integrated Test Range missile testing facility has been the site where several significant missiles have been tested. These missiles, including Agni, Prithvi, Brahmos, Astra, and Nirbhay, have all played crucial roles in bolstering India’s defense capabilities.
