Arunachal Seeks Expansion of Vibrant Village Programme to Border Areas

ITANAGAR: The state government will appeal to the Central government to extend the ambit of the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) to cover villages along the India-Myanmar and India-Bhutan borders, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein told the state Assembly on Monday.

The program currently targets only the development of border villages along the northern border of the state with China.

Replying to an inquiry by independent MLA Laisam Simai, Mein said the Union Home Ministry initiated the VVP on April 10, 2023, in place of the previous Border Area Development Programme (BADP).

In its first phase, 455 villages in 11 districts of Arunachal Pradesh are being developed, with huge investments to enhance infrastructure and connectivity.

The ministry has approved Rs 2,205 crore for the construction of 105 roads covering 1,022 km, linking 125 villages," Mein told the House. Besides, Rs 104.99 crore has been sanctioned for 187 developmental projects in 156 villages aimed at enhancing basic facilities and livelihood options for border dwellers.".

Though VVP seeks to organize border settlements, Mein conceded that some villages along the northern border are still left out of the programme. To cover them, the state government is trying to bring these villages under various schemes operated by the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and other state-level programs.

Citing other infrastructure initiatives, Mein said the Centre has approved 22 connectivity projects and 212 other infrastructure projects under the Northeast Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NSIDS). The projects are intended to enhance Arunachal Pradesh's border areas and enhance living standards for citizens.

Guaranteeing the Assembly of openness in VVP's execution, Mein confirmed that the scheme is going well with robust support from the Centre.

"We have had unflinching support of the Central government in our developmental path," he said, highlighting the need for consistent efforts to raise border communities and national security through better infrastructure.

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