Arunachal Pradesh Seeks Expansion of Vibrant Village Programme

The Arunachal Pradesh government intends to expand the Vibrant Village Programme to include India-Myanmar and India-Bhutan border villages. The programme currently focuses on Arunachal's northern border with China, with 455 villages being developed. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein highlighted funding and future infrastructure plans during an assembly address.

The Arunachal Pradesh government is advocating for the inclusion of villages along the India-Myanmar and India-Bhutan borders in the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP). This comes as the programme, which focuses solely on the China border, is underway, with 455 villages currently in development.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein informed the assembly that the Home Ministry introduced the Vibrant Village Programme on April 10, 2023. During the first phase, Rs 2,205 crore has been sanctioned to construct 105 roads over 1,022 km, connecting 125 villages. Additionally, Rs 104.99 crore has been allocated for 187 projects across 156 villages.

Mein acknowledged the exclusion of some northern border villages but assured that efforts are being made to address this through various regional and national schemes. Furthermore, 22 connectivity projects and 212 infrastructure projects have been sanctioned under the Northeast Special Infrastructure Development Scheme.