Vibrant Village Prog bridging gap between border & mainland areas: Amit Shah

New Delhi, Jan 25: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, today engaged with distinguished guests from border villages participating in the Vibrant Village Programme, who are in the capital for the 76th Republic Day celebrations.
The event also saw the presence of Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, and other senior officials.
In his address, Amit Shah highlighted the transformative potential of the Vibrant Village Programme, emphasizing its role in not just improving physical and digital connectivity but also in fostering a deeper emotional connection between the remote border villages and the rest of India. He explained that the programme’s goal is to bridge the emotional divide by reaffirming the integral place of border villagers within the nation. He noted that inviting residents of these villages to participate in national celebrations as special guests of the Prime Minister symbolizes a shift in the approach towards the country’s frontier communities.
Shah pointed to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in addressing local challenges, citing the example of Ladakh, where the persistent issue of diesel freezing during winter was solved by government-led research into non-freezing diesel. He also mentioned how, since 2017, all security forces have been instructed to source essential items like milk, eggs, and vegetables from border villages, boosting employment and economic activity in these areas.
The Home Minister outlined the key components of the Vibrant Village Programme, which aims for holistic development, encompassing infrastructure, culture, tourism, livelihoods, and economic growth. He underscored that the programme’s objective is to ensure that villages along the border are as developed and vibrant as any other village in India.
Shah shared that the programme, announced by Prime Minister Modi in February 2023, covers 662 villages across 46 blocks along India’s northern border. Since its inception, over 22 central ministers and 92 senior officials have visited numerous villages, gaining insights into local challenges and driving the implementation of the programme.
The Home Minister also provided updates on the initiatives under the Vibrant Village Programme, revealing that 626 infrastructure projects and 901 employment-related projects have been launched, with schemes worth ₹556 crore targeting agriculture, education, health, energy, cooperatives, and Khadi and Village Industries. Furthermore, ₹2,400 crore has been allocated for the construction of roads and bridges, and by June 2025, 4G connectivity will be available in 362 of the villages. He also noted that 474 of the 662 villages have been electrified, with 43 new power projects costing ₹238 crore already underway.
Shah also highlighted the development of tourism infrastructure in these villages, including 102 projects worth ₹48 crore focused on View Points, Adventure Tourism, Eco-Resorts, and Tourist Centres. The programme has also made significant strides in providing banking facilities to previously underserved villages, with many now connected to the banking system.
Concluding his remarks, Amit Shah reiterated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the government is committed to ensuring the overall development of border villages, offering citizens basic facilities for a dignified life. He urged the special guests from the Vibrant Villages to share the message upon returning to their communities that Prime Minister Modi holds deep affection for them and is dedicated to their progress.
This comprehensive initiative underscores the government’s focus on bridging the gap between remote border regions and the rest of the country, ensuring that no region is left behind in India’s journey of inclusive development.