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Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) | Government of Assam | Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah has launched the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II), a ₹6,839 crore initiative aimed at the holistic development of 1,954 border villages across 17 states and Union Territories. Launched at Nathunpur village in Assam’s Barak Valley, the second phase of the program seeks to provide border communities with facilities—such as electricity, education, roads, and telecommunications—at par with any other village in the country.
The mission pivots from viewing border areas as the “last villages” to recognizing them as the “first villages” of India, essential for national security and curbing migration. In Assam specifically, the program will cover 140 villages across 26 blocks, complementing a broader developmental surge that includes a ₹27,000 crore semiconductor plant and the highest rate of daily road construction (14 km/day) in the country.
Key Pillars of the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II)
Infrastructure Saturation: Providing all 1,954 target villages with 24/7 electricity, high-speed telecommunications, and all-weather road connectivity.
Migration Prevention: Creating local employment opportunities and specialized education hubs to ensure that residents remain in border areas, thereby strengthening territorial integrity.
Security & Border Resilience: Integrating village development with border security to prevent infiltration and maintain a secure perimeter through stable, prosperous communities.
Welfare Scheme Saturation: Ensuring that 100% of the residents in these 1,954 villages have access to all Central and State government welfare schemes.
North-East Specialization: Prioritizing the development of the Barak Valley and 9 districts in Assam as part of a larger plan to make the state a developed economic hub.
What is the “Vibrant Villages Programme” (VVP)? The Vibrant Villages Programme is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at improving the quality of life and creating livelihood opportunities in border villages to prevent out-migration and enhance national security. The first phase (VVP-I) established the principle that border villages are the “first villages” of India. The second phase (VVP-II) scales this vision with a ₹6,839 crore outlay, targeting nearly 2,000 villages across 334 blocks adjoining the international border. By providing urban-standard facilities to remote outposts, the program transforms these “strategic frontiers” into vibrant, economically productive communities that act as the first line of defense for the nation.
Policy Relevance
For India, the VVP–II represents a transition from “Reactive Border Management” to “Proactive Strategic Prosperity,” where national security is anchored in rural development.
Standardizing “First Village” Facilities: Aligning border village infrastructure with national standards acts as a standard maker move, ensuring that geographical isolation is no longer a barrier to the Digital India and healthcare hubs mission.
Bypassing Migration Stagnation: By creating local hubs for semiconductors (₹27,000 crore plant) and industries, India ensures that its border demographic remains a productive, stable asset rather than migrating to overburdened cities.
Operationalizing North-East Connectivity: The integration of 140 Assam villages with the state’s record 14 km/day road construction ensures that the Barak Valley becomes a gateway for regional trade rather than an isolated frontier.
Federal Security Synergy: Combining welfare saturation with border security ensures that infiltrators are naturally deterred by prosperous, well-connected communities, as identified in the Ministry of Home Affairs’ strategy.
Implementation Fidelity via Per-Capita Gains: The tripling of Assam’s per-capita income to ₹1,54,000 (2024–25) provides the economic momentum needed to sustain the high-complexity execution of the VVP–II.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How should the Ministry of Home Affairs and State Governments design Reverse Migration Incentives (e.g., housing grants or startup tax holidays) specifically for youth returning to the target villages?
Follow the full update here: Vibrant Villages Programme–II