New Delhi, Mar 25: The Centre has approved the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-II) to promote development in villages along India’s international land borders, expanding the initiative beyond the northern frontier.
The programme follows the launch of VVP-I in February 2023, under which 662 villages across 46 blocks in border districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Ladakh were identified for comprehensive development with an outlay of Rs 4,800 crore for 2022–26.
VVP focuses on improving livelihoods and infrastructure in remote border villages through tourism promotion, skill development, agriculture and cooperative activities, along with better road connectivity, healthcare, education, energy and telecom services, with the aim of encouraging residents to remain in these areas. So far, 263 tourism-related projects worth Rs 116 crore have been approved under the first phase.
Under VVP-II, approved with an outlay of Rs 6,839 crore till 2028-29, the scheme will now cover villages along other international borders in multiple states and Union Territories, including Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, among others. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai shared the details in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
