Cabinet Clears Rs 68.39B for Vibrant Villages Phase II

11 Apr 2025 CW Team

VVP-II will be implemented across strategically located villages in 17 states and union territories, with a special focus on the northeastern region — including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.

The programme aims to bridge longstanding infrastructure gaps in these remote areas by upgrading roads, housing, drinking water, sanitation, power supply, mobile and internet connectivity, and essential health and education services.

Beyond physical infrastructure, VVP-II also targets economic upliftment. The scheme will support local livelihoods through initiatives in agriculture, skill development, self-employment, and promotion of traditional crafts and culture. A key objective is to strengthen the sense of security and stability in these border villages, many of which hold strategic significance for national security.

Officials stated that the implementation will follow a participatory approach, involving state governments, local bodies, and community organisations. Emphasis will also be placed on sustainable development and climate-resilient practices.

The first phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme laid the groundwork in several frontier areas. The second phase is expected to accelerate integrated border development, address regional disparities, and curb migration from rural border regions.

Through VVP-II, the government aims to transform remote settlements into self-sufficient, thriving communities that contribute both to regional progress and the nation’s strategic interests.

The Union Cabinet has approved the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-II), a Central Sector Scheme aimed at enhancing infrastructure and quality of life in remote villages along India’s international borders. The scheme carries a financial outlay of Rs 68.39 billion and will remain in effect until the end of FY 2028–29. VVP-II will be implemented across strategically located villages in 17 states and union territories, with a special focus on the northeastern region — including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. The programme aims to bridge longstanding infrastructure gaps in these remote areas by upgrading roads, housing, drinking water, sanitation, power supply, mobile and internet connectivity, and essential health and education services. Beyond physical infrastructure, VVP-II also targets economic upliftment. The scheme will support local livelihoods through initiatives in agriculture, skill development, self-employment, and promotion of traditional crafts and culture. A key objective is to strengthen the sense of security and stability in these border villages, many of which hold strategic significance for national security. Officials stated that the implementation will follow a participatory approach, involving state governments, local bodies, and community organisations. Emphasis will also be placed on sustainable development and climate-resilient practices. The first phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme laid the groundwork in several frontier areas. The second phase is expected to accelerate integrated border development, address regional disparities, and curb migration from rural border regions. Through VVP-II, the government aims to transform remote settlements into self-sufficient, thriving communities that contribute both to regional progress and the nation’s strategic interests.

Infrastructure Urban

31 Jul 2026

SCLR Extension Nears Completion Linking BKC With Signal-Free Route

The Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) extension towards Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) via the Mumbai University campus has entered its final stage, bringing motorists closer to a direct, signal-free connection between the Western Express Highway and the city’s commercial district. The elevated connector is being built as an arm from the SCLR alignment and will link the western suburbs with BKC without surface signals. The link is designed to reduce journey times for commuters travelling from the western suburbs to BKC and to improve access to eastern Mumbai. By carrying through traffic above s..

Infrastructure Transport

31 Jul 2026

Raiganj MP Seeks Bengal Only Highway Link To Siliguri

Raiganj Member of Parliament Kartik Chandra Paul met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi to press for a new stretch of national highway in North Dinajpur district. He urged approval for a Bengal-to-Bengal link that would connect National Highways 12 and 27 to allow vehicles bound for Siliguri to avoid the current route through Kishanganj in neighbouring Bihar. He also submitted a proposed alignment of the new road to the ministry for consideration. At present vehicles from Raiganj travel along NH-12 and join NH-27 at Purnia More in Dalkhola, a route that p..

Infrastructure Transport

31 Jul 2026

Airport Kilambakkam Metro Line To Be Extended To Chengalpattu

Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) has invited tenders for two detailed project reports that would extend its rail network to Chengalpattu in the south and extend Corridor-5 to Wimco Nagar in the north as part of a second wave of expansion beyond the operator's corridors under construction. The move signals an acceleration of planning for suburban links and interchange nodes. The larger of the two studies covers a roughly 27km extension from the planned Kilambakkam metro station to Chengalpattu under Corridor-1, Phase I. CMRL floated the tender at an estimated cost of Rs 21.6 mn. The proposed line woul..