Sep 20, 2024
Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)
Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)
What is the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)?
The Vibrant Villages Programme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme initiated by the Indian government to foster comprehensive development in select villages along the northern borders of India. This includes areas in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and the Union Territory of Ladakh. The program aims to improve quality of life, generate livelihood opportunities, and reverse outmigration by enhancing local infrastructure and connectivity.
What is the financial commitment for the VVP?
The government has allocated ₹4,800 crore for the VVP, spanning from the fiscal year 2022-23 to 2025-26. This budget is dedicated to developing infrastructure, connectivity, and community resources in 2,967 villages across 46 blocks in 19 districts.
What are the key focus areas of the VVP?
The VVP targets several developmental areas including:
Agriculture and Horticulture: Enhancing agricultural practices and promoting horticulture.
Tourism and Culture: Developing tourism infrastructures, promoting local fairs and festivals, and supporting eco-tourism and cultural heritage.
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: Providing training and development opportunities to boost local entrepreneurship.
Infrastructure Development: Improving road connectivity, housing, and village infrastructure.
Energy and Connectivity: Enhancing access to renewable energy sources and improving television and telecom connectivity.
How does the VVP contribute to national security?
Developing border areas strengthens national security by maintaining a robust economic and social presence that acts as a deterrent to adversaries. It also ensures that the local population can affirm the sovereignty of India in these areas.
What are the expected outcomes of the VVP?
The programme is designed to be outcome-oriented with specific indicators at the village, household, and individual beneficiary levels. It aims to transform remote villages into model villages with sustainable economic bases, better connected to mainstream developmental initiatives.
How will the VVP impact local communities?
The VVP is expected to have a significant positive impact on local communities by providing better access to essential services, creating job opportunities, and improving living standards. This is anticipated to help stem the tide of migration from border areas to urban centers, maintaining a vibrant local populace.
What progress has been made in border area development so far?
Significant infrastructure advancements such as the construction of over 8,500 km of roads, more than 400 permanent bridges, and notable projects like the Atal Tunnel, Sela Tunnel, and the upcoming Shikun-La Tunnel, which will be the world’s highest tunnel, have been made under the Border Roads Organisation's oversight.
These FAQs provide a comprehensive overview of the Vibrant Villages Programme, detailing its objectives, financial scope, key developmental areas, and its role in bolstering India’s border security and rural development.
