Union Cabinet Approves Phase 2 of Vibrant Villages Programme to Boost Border Development
New Delhi, April 4:
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-II), a central sector scheme aimed at the holistic development of strategically located villages along India’s international borders.
An official statement said the programme, with a total outlay of ₹6,839 crore, will be fully funded by the Centre and implemented in select border villages across 18 states and Union Territories, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal, among others. The scheme will remain in force till 2028-29.
Unlike VVP-I which focused on the northern borders, VVP-II expands the scope to other international land borders, aligning with the government’s vision of “Viksit Bharat@2047” for safe, secure, and vibrant frontiers.
The primary objective of VVP-II is to improve living conditions and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for residents in border villages. The programme also aims to control trans-border crimes and promote greater integration of border populations into the national mainstream. These communities will be encouraged to act as the “eyes and ears” of border guarding forces, playing a critical role in national security.
Key components of VVP-II include infrastructure development, creation of tourism circuits, smart classrooms, and livelihood enhancement through cooperatives and self-help groups (SHGs). The programme also proposes cultural initiatives such as festivals, national day celebrations, and official visits by central and state authorities to boost tourism and showcase local heritage.
The government has also emphasised the use of technology and data-driven planning through platforms like PM Gati Shakti for effective execution. All-weather road connectivity under PMGSY-IV will be a key part of the initiative, along with efforts to ensure saturation in basic services like electrification, telecom, and television connectivity.
A high-powered committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary will oversee implementation and consider necessary relaxations in guidelines for border-specific challenges.
The Centre said that VVP-I and VVP-II together represent a transformative initiative to make India’s border villages self-reliant, vibrant, and better connected to the rest of the country.
