Arunachal Pradesh's Vibrant Villages Programme Targets Remote Settlements
Vibrant Villages Programme Announced
Itanagar, July 14: The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, revealed on Monday that 66 isolated villages along the Indo-Myanmar border have been selected for the Central Government's Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP). This initiative is designed to enhance development in India's border regions.
Khandu shared on social media that these villages are situated in the Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts of the state.
Out of the selected villages, 42 are located in Changlang, 13 in Longding, and 11 in Tirap district.
The focus of this programme will be on improving infrastructure such as roads, telecommunications, electricity, and enhancing livelihoods and skill development.
According to the 2011 census, Wakka village in Longding has the largest population among the chosen villages, with over 2,000 residents. It is followed by Gandhigram in Changlang with 1,754 residents and Khanu in Longding with 1,629.
Conversely, the least populated villages, all from Changlang district, include Old Potuk (41), Gaherigram (57), and Lungtung (71).
In Tirap district, the identified villages are Old Bunting, Sanliam, Raho, Lazu, Noglo, Upper Chinhan, Lower Chinhan, Tutnyu, Lonyen, New Kothung, and Nogna.
Longding district includes Wakka, Khanu, Chongkhow, Chop, Khogla, Kampong, Jagan, Khasa, Konnu, Konsa, Lower Pongchau, Pongchau, Pongchau HQ, and Votnu.
In Changlang, 42 villages across seven blocks have been identified, including Khagam-Miao, Kantang, Khimiyong, Manmao, Nampong, Yatdam, and Vijoynagar.
Officials noted that the programme aims to fill gaps in livelihood opportunities, infrastructure, tourism, skill development, and connectivity—covering roads, telecommunications, housing, and renewable energy—to motivate residents to remain in these border villages.
In the initial phase of the Vibrant Village Programme, the Centre had previously approved 455 villages along the Indo-Bhutan and Indo-Tibet borders on February 15, 2023, of which 135 were unconnected.