The Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II)

Context

The Union Home Minister launched the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II) in Nathanpur village, Cachar district, Assam. The initiative aims to drive comprehensive development in border villages, strengthening national security through community integration and infrastructure growth.

About the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II)

What it is? VVP-II is a Central Sector Scheme designed for the holistic development of villages located in blocks abutting India’s International Land Borders (ILBs). It extends the developmental model to areas not covered by the initial northern border-focused VVP-I.

Timeline and Implementation:

Approval: Approved for implementation during FY 2024-25 to 2025-26, with financial support extending up to 2028-29.
Official Launch: February 2026 in Assam’s Cachar district.

Evolution of Border Development:

1986-87: The Border Area Development Programme (BADP) was launched to bridge infrastructure gaps. However, many regions continued to face migration and development deficits.
2023 (VVP-I): Launched specifically for northern borders to reverse out-migration and fortify strategic villages.
2026 (VVP-II): Expanded the model to all other international land borders (Indo-Bangladesh, Indo-Nepal, Indo-Myanmar, Indo-Bhutan, and Indo-Pakistan) across 15 States and 2 Union Territories.

Objectives and Vision

Infrastructure & Livelihood: Address critical gaps in connectivity and basic services while creating sustainable economic opportunities.
Strategic Integration: Integrate border populations into the national mainstream, empowering them to act as the “eyes and ears” for border guarding forces.
Stability: Prevent forced migration from border areas by improving the quality of life, thereby maintaining a permanent civilian presence for territorial integrity.

Key Features of the Programme

Financial Outlay: A dedicated budget of ₹6,839 crore allocated through FY 2028-29.
Geographic Reach: Covers 15 States and 2 UTs with area-specific strategies tailored to diverse terrains.
Saturation-Based Approach: Ensures 100% coverage of all eligible households under existing Central and State government schemes.
Convergence Model: Synergizes multiple flagship schemes to ensure efficient resource utilization and rapid delivery.
Strategic Identification: Focused development of 1,954 strategic villages.

The Four Core Infrastructure Themes:

All-weather road connectivity: Implemented via PMGSY-IV.
Telecom connectivity: Powered by Digital Bharat Nidhi.
Television connectivity: Delivered through the BIND scheme.
Electrification: Managed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).

Livelihood and Community Engagement

Economic Drivers: Promotion of border tourism, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and specialized skill development.
Financial Inclusion: Ensuring banking and credit access for remote border populations.
Security Outreach: Conducting community activities to foster mutual trust and cooperation between local residents and border security forces.

Conclusion

VVP-II represents a shift from traditional border management to a "Border-Led Development" model. By transforming remote outposts into "Vibrant Villages," the government seeks to ensure that India’s frontiers are not just lines on a map, but thriving hubs of economic activity and national resilience.

The Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II)