Amit Shah to Launch Vibrant Villages Programme II in Assam

23 Feb 2026 CW Team

The Vibrant Villages Programme II is designed to ensure comprehensive and sustainable development of border villages through a saturation-based and convergence-driven approach. It will focus on improving essential infrastructure, enhancing access to basic services and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, thereby fostering secure, resilient and prosperous communities. The programme is framed to align with the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and to bridge development gaps between border and interior regions.

Strengthening these villages is also intended to enable residents to contribute to border security and the prevention of cross-border crime through increased vigilance and local participation. The scheme aims to improve internal security by creating socioeconomic incentives for stability and by integrating community-led measures with formal security arrangements. Authorities expect that enhanced infrastructure and livelihoods will reduce vulnerabilities that can be exploited by criminal elements.

Vibrant Villages Programme II is a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of Rs 68,390 million (mn) up to Financial Year 2028–29 and will be implemented across 15 States and two Union Territories. The funding allocation is intended to be deployed through a saturation approach that concentrates resources in targeted border habitations and through convergence with existing schemes. Implementation plans will involve coordination between central and state agencies as well as local bodies to ensure delivery of services. The launch in Nathanpur is presented as a milestone in efforts to integrate border communities into the national development agenda.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah will launch the Vibrant Villages Programme II in Assam, with the formal inauguration scheduled at Nathanpur village in Cachar district on Friday, 20 February 2026. The launch will mark a further step in Government efforts to strengthen border villages and promote inclusive development in areas bordering other countries. The event will bring attention to policy measures aimed at integrating remote communities into national development priorities. Officials said the initiative follows previous phases and seeks to build on lessons from earlier interventions. The Vibrant Villages Programme II is designed to ensure comprehensive and sustainable development of border villages through a saturation-based and convergence-driven approach. It will focus on improving essential infrastructure, enhancing access to basic services and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, thereby fostering secure, resilient and prosperous communities. The programme is framed to align with the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and to bridge development gaps between border and interior regions. Strengthening these villages is also intended to enable residents to contribute to border security and the prevention of cross-border crime through increased vigilance and local participation. The scheme aims to improve internal security by creating socioeconomic incentives for stability and by integrating community-led measures with formal security arrangements. Authorities expect that enhanced infrastructure and livelihoods will reduce vulnerabilities that can be exploited by criminal elements. Vibrant Villages Programme II is a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of Rs 68,390 million (mn) up to Financial Year 2028–29 and will be implemented across 15 States and two Union Territories. The funding allocation is intended to be deployed through a saturation approach that concentrates resources in targeted border habitations and through convergence with existing schemes. Implementation plans will involve coordination between central and state agencies as well as local bodies to ensure delivery of services. The launch in Nathanpur is presented as a milestone in efforts to integrate border communities into the national development agenda.

Infrastructure Urban

20 Mar 2026

Lemon Tree Hotels Signs Resort In Lonavala Maharashtra

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited (LTHL) has signed a licence agreement for Lemon Tree Resort in Lonavala, Maharashtra, with the asset to be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of LTHL. The resort will offer 50 well appointed rooms and will include a restaurant, banquet, meeting room, swimming pool, spa and fitness centre. The company described the addition as part of its strategy to expand branded resort offerings in key getaway destinations. Lonavala, located in the Sahyadri hills, is a popular leisure destination in western India known for scenic landscapes and a ..

Infrastructure Urban

20 Mar 2026

Kalai Chettinad Art And Architecture Festival At The Lotus Palace

The Lotus Palace Chettinad will host Kalai, the Chettinad Art and Architecture Festival, a four-day, three-night immersive celebration of the artistic legacy of Chettinad from three to six April 2026. The event has been organised by Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) and will take place across restored heritage properties in Chettinad. It will be designed to offer guests a layered experience of place, structure and story that connects art, architecture and living traditions. The festival aims to present a confluence of global influences and local aesthetics. Kalai has been curated i..

Infrastructure Energy

20 Mar 2026

SJVN Reaches One bn Units At 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Project

SJVN Limited (SJVN) has reached a milestone with its 1,000 megawatt (MW) Bikaner Solar Power Project by generating one bn units of electricity on 20 March 2026. The achievement underscores the company's role in supplying clean and sustainable energy to the national grid. The generation milestone was recorded within months of the project commencing operations and highlights rapid performance from the new facility. The Bikaner project, located in Bikaner district of Rajasthan, has been developed and implemented by SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL) under the Central Public Sector Undertaking Schem..