New Delhi: The Centre is expanding the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) across India’s international land borders with a combined outlay of ₹11,639 crore, seeking to improve infrastructure, livelihoods and essential services in frontier communities while strengthening the country’s border security.
The programme, being implemented through VVP-I and VVP-II, aims to cover more than 2,600 villages along India’s international land borders. The government’s approach treats border settlements as “first villages” with an important role in sustaining populated and economically active frontier areas.
Two-Phase Programme Covers Entire Land Frontier
The first phase, VVP-I, focuses on villages along India’s northern border, while VVP-II extends the programme to other international land borders.
- VVP-I: ₹4,800 crore outlay, covering 662 priority villages in 46 border blocks across Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Ladakh.
- VVP-II: ₹6,839 crore outlay up to 2028-29, covering 1,954 villages in 334 border blocks.
- Together, the two phases seek to improve connectivity, public services and livelihood opportunities in frontier areas.
VVP-II was approved by the Union Cabinet in April 2025 and formally launched in February 2026 at Nathanpur village in Assam’s Cachar district.
Roads, Telecom and Essential Services at Core
The programme focuses on reducing the infrastructure and connectivity gaps that have affected remote border settlements.
Key interventions include:
- All-weather roads and bridges
- Reliable electricity and drinking water
- Mobile and internet connectivity
- Healthcare and education facilities
- Financial inclusion and skill development
- Tourism infrastructure
- Support for cooperatives, SHGs and local enterprises
- Village-specific livelihood initiatives
The Centre is also using convergence with existing government schemes to ensure that eligible households receive benefits under applicable programmes.
Over 1,200 Projects Sanctioned Under VVP-I
As of July 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs had sanctioned 1,248 projects worth ₹3,020.32 crore under VVP-I.
Another 1,655 projects have been sanctioned by Central Ministries and Departments through convergence, while ₹953.47 crore has been released to States and the Union Territory covered under the first phase.
States and UTs have reported the completion of 283 projects so far.
111 Road Projects to Connect Previously Unconnected Villages
Road connectivity is among the largest components of VVP-I.
The Centre has sanctioned 111 road projects worth ₹2,481.93 crore, aimed at connecting 134 villages that previously lacked road access. The projects also include 35 long-span bridges.
Improved connectivity is expected to support access to markets, public services and tourism opportunities in remote frontier areas.
Tourism and Local Enterprise Gain Focus
Tourism is being developed as an additional source of income for border communities. Under VVP-I, 327 tourism projects worth ₹145 crore have been approved.
These include:
- Viewpoints and tourist centres
- Eco-tourism and eco-resorts
- Adventure tourism facilities
- Trekking routes
The programme also promotes cooperatives, self-help groups and Farmer Producer Organisations to build local economic activity and create sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Development and Border Security Seen as Linked
The Centre’s approach places population retention and economic opportunity alongside physical infrastructure.
By improving connectivity and creating livelihood opportunities, the programme seeks to encourage residents to remain in frontier villages and reduce the pressures that contribute to out-migration.
The government has also highlighted the role of local communities in supporting border-guarding forces and strengthening resilience against trans-border crime.
The Vibrant Villages Programme therefore combines infrastructure development, livelihood generation, service delivery and border security under a unified framework for India’s frontier regions.
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