Launch of Second Phase
Border Village Development Drive Gets ₹6,900 Crore Boost: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the second phase of the Vibrant Village Programme-II in Assam on February 21, 2026. The inauguration took place at Natanpur village in the Barak Valley region.
The initiative aims to transform border settlements into growth centres and align them with national development standards. The government’s approach signals a shift from viewing border villages as remote peripheries to treating them as strategic priority zones.
Coverage and Financial Outlay
The second phase covers 334 blocks and 1,954 villages across 17 states with a total allocation of ₹6,900 crore. In Assam alone, nine districts, 26 blocks, and 140 villages along the India-Bangladesh border have been included.
The scheme is designed to strengthen infrastructure and improve socio-economic indicators in sensitive frontier areas.
Static GK fact: Assam shares an international border with Bangladesh stretching over 260 km, making border management and development crucial for national security.
Focus on Infrastructure
A major thrust of the programme is on infrastructure expansion. The government plans to improve road connectivity, expand telecommunications networks, ensure reliable electricity supply, and enhance drinking water and sanitation facilities.
The objective is to provide amenities in border villages comparable to those available in urban and mainland regions. Improved connectivity is also expected to facilitate faster administrative access and emergency response.
Static GK Tip: The India-Bangladesh border is the longest land boundary India shares with any country, spanning over 4,000 km across five states.
Education and Employment Push
The programme gives special emphasis to education and livelihood generation. Border villages will receive upgraded school infrastructure, improved digital connectivity, and skill development centres.
Local employment opportunities will be created to reduce outmigration and strengthen economic stability. By integrating economic development with infrastructure, the scheme seeks to promote sustainable growth in frontier regions.
Strategic and Social Importance
The initiative holds both developmental and strategic value. Strengthening border villages enhances national security, ensures demographic stability, and builds socio-economic resilience.
The government’s vision is to convert “last villages” into “first villages” in terms of development indicators. Improved living standards are expected to deepen community engagement and strengthen India’s frontier management framework.
Static GK fact: The Ministry of Home Affairs oversees border management policies, including coordination with agencies such as the Border Security Force (BSF).
Regional Focus on Barak Valley
The inclusion of Barak Valley highlights the emphasis on India’s eastern frontier. Development across nine districts of Assam is expected to reinforce both infrastructure growth and community welfare.
The programme reflects a broader national strategy of integrating remote border areas into mainstream economic progress.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Border Village Development Drive Gets ₹6,900 Crore Boost:
| Topic | Detail |
| Scheme Name | Vibrant Village Programme-II |
| Launch Date | February 21, 2026 |
| Launched By | Union Home Minister Amit Shah |
| Total Allocation | ₹6,900 crore |
| Coverage | 1,954 villages in 17 states |
| Assam Coverage | 140 villages in 9 districts |
| Focus Areas | Roads, telecom, sanitation, education, employment |
| Strategic Importance | Border security and socio-economic resilience |
