Amit Shah Unveils Major ₹6,839 Crore Border Village Development Scheme in Assam
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II) on Friday at Nathunpur village in Assam's Cachar district. This significant initiative, with a budget of ₹6,839 crore, is designed to transform border villages across 15 states and two Union Territories, marking a pivotal step in national development and security.
Comprehensive Coverage Across India
The ambitious scheme will encompass a total of 1,954 villages spread over 334 blocks. In Assam alone, 140 villages across nine districts and 26 blocks will benefit. Shah emphasized that the programme extends to villages in numerous states, including:
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Bihar
- Gujarat
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Ladakh
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
- Mizoram
- Nagaland
- Punjab
- Rajasthan
- Sikkim
- Tripura
- Uttarakhand
- Uttar Pradesh
- West Bengal
Transforming Border Villages into National Frontrunners
Addressing the gathering, Shah articulated the government's commitment to ensuring that every border village achieves development parity with other villages nationwide. "There will be no migration from border areas, infiltrators will be prevented from entering through the borders, and a secure Assam will contribute to a secure India," he declared. The launch from Barak Valley signifies the beginning of this extensive development outreach to border villages across 17 states.
Shah reflected on the historical neglect of border villages, which were once termed the "last village" of the country due to deficits in development, employment, electricity connectivity, and education. "Under Vibrant Villages-I, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided that every village on the border is not the last but the first village of India," he stated. He added that from today, Nathunpur village in Assam will also become the first village of the country, leading in development, employment, education, roads, and telecommunications.
Integrated Approach to Security and Welfare
The home minister highlighted that the programme integrates schemes related to security, saturation of welfare benefits, and connectivity. This holistic approach aims to ensure that residents of border areas do not migrate and that infiltrators are kept at bay, thereby strengthening national borders.
Shah projected a bright future for Assam, asserting that in the coming years, the state will rank among the developed states of the country. The Vibrant Villages Programme–II is a crucial component of this vision, fostering growth and stability in border regions.
This initiative represents a strategic move to enhance infrastructure, provide employment opportunities, and improve living standards in remote areas, ultimately contributing to a more secure and prosperous India.
