OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday announced that 66 villages located along the Indo-Myanmar border have been identified for development under the Centre’s Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP).
These villages, spanning the districts of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding, are part of the government’s initiative to boost infrastructure and livelihoods in remote border areas.
In a social media post, Khandu described the programme as an effort towards ‘last-mile development’, with a focus on enhancing road connectivity, telecom services, electricity supply, livelihood opportunities, and skill development. According to the Chief Minister, 42 of the identified villages are in Changlang district, 13 in Longding, and 11 in Tirap.
As per the 2011 census, Wakka village in Longding is the most populous among the selected villages, with over 2,000 residents. It is followed by Gandhigram in Changlang with 1,754 residents, and Khanu in Longding with 1,629.
The least populated villages, all in Changlang, include Old Potuk (41 residents), Gaherigram (57), and Lungtung (71).
In Tirap district, the villages selected under the programme are, Old Bunting, Sanliam, Raho, Lazu, Noglo, Upper Chinhan, Lower Chinhan, Tutnyu, Lonyen, New Kothung, and Nogna.
Longding’s list includes, Wakka, Khanu, Chongkhow, Chop, Khogla, Kampong, Jagan, Khasa, Konnu, Konsa, Lower Pongchau, Pongchau, Pongchau HQ, and Votnu.
Changlang district’s 42 villages are spread across seven blocks - Khagam-Miao, Kantang, Khimiyong, Manmao, Nampong, Yatdam, and Vijoynagar.
Officials said the VVP aims to address critical gaps in infrastructure, tourism, livelihood generation, skill training, and connectivity, including roads, telecom, housing, and renewable energy, to encourage residents to remain in these strategically important border areas.
Also Read: Arunachal CM Unveils Youth-Centric Roadmap for “Viksit Arunachal”
Also Watch: