Union Cabinet Approves Rs. 6,839 Crore Vibrant Villages Programme-II To Boost Border Development

The Union Cabinet has sanctioned the Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II) as a Central Sector Scheme to consolidate border infrastructure and enlighten the quality of life in remote regions.

The scheme, with a total financial outlay of Rs. 6,839 crore, will be executed across strategic villages located along India’s international land borders.

According to an official press release issued on Friday, the scheme is intended to safeguard the comprehensive and inclusive growth of villages located in 17 states and Union Territories, with a special focus on the northeastern states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. The programme will be in effect till the end of the financial year 2028-29.

The VVP-II seeks to bridge the infrastructure and service delivery gap in border villages, many of which remain underdeveloped due to their distant locations and challenging lands. 

The scheme will focus on creating and upgrading roads, housing, drinking water supply, sanitation, power supply, mobile and internet connectivity, and health and education facilities.

Apart from physical  infrastructure, the programme also aims to enhance livelihood chances for the local population by supporting agriculture, skill development, self-employment, and promotion of local crafts and culture. It also envisions strengthening the sense of security in border areas, which are of strategic importance to national security.

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Officers said that the execution of VVP-II will be carried out in a convergent and participatory manner, with active involvement from state governments, local administrations, and community organizations. Special attention will be given to sustainable development practices and climate resilience.

The first phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme had already begun, laying the foundation in several frontier regions. The second phase is expected to reinforce India’s commitment to integrated border development while addressing regional disparities and preventing outmigration from rural border areas.

With this determined initiative, the government aims not just to bring governance to the doorstep of the remotest citizens but also to make these villages vibrant, self-sustaining hubs contributing to both regional growth and national security.