In a significant development for Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sanctioned approximately 1022 kilometers of roads under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP). Khandu, currently on a two-day tour of the Upper Siang district, expressed his gratitude to the Modi government, highlighting that Arunachal Pradesh boasts the highest number of border villages listed under this ambitious program. The Vibrant Villages Programme, launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 2023, aims at the comprehensive development of selected villages along the northern border in Arunachal Pradesh and other states, including Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh. This initiative focuses on various interventions such as promoting tourism and cultural heritage, skill development, entrepreneurship, cooperative societies, and road connectivity for previously unconnected villages. During a public meeting in Tuting, Khandu emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence among the diverse communities residing in the northernmost part of the district, which shares an international border with Tibet-China. He urged members of the Memba, Khamba, Adi, Mishmi, and Tangam communities to become equal stakeholders in the development of the border areas. Highlighting the positive transformation anticipated under the Vibrant Villages Programme, Khandu stated that Tuting, in the Upper Siang district, would witness rapid development. The program aims to create opportunities for livelihood generation, including agriculture and horticulture, development of cooperative societies, and energy-related projects. Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remodeling the concept of border villages, Khandu mentioned that Gelling, once known as the last village on the Indian side in Tuting sub-division, has now become the 'first village' on the Indian side. He acknowledged the improvements in connectivity across various sectors?roads, air, rail, and digital?over the past 7-8 years under the present central and state governments. Khandu further unveiled his government's blueprint for overhauling the existing planning process in order to accelerate the state's growth. The new planning process will involve stakeholders at the ground level, ensuring that the state plan is built on insights from the grassroots. He assured that this bottom-up approach would lead to holistic development in all villages, optimizing government resources without wastage. As part of his tour, Khandu inaugurated several developmental projects in Yingkiong, the district headquarters, including road upgrades, healthcare facilities, and micro hydel stations. These initiatives underscore the commitment of the Arunachal Pradesh government towards fostering development and connectivity in the region.