Amit Shah rolls out Phase II in Cachar, says border villages will become thriving hubs of growth and security
Cachar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on February 20 launched the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme in Assam, unveiling an ambitious Rs 6,839 crore plan aimed at transforming remote border settlements into self-sufficient and secure communities.
The phase II will cover 1,954 villages across 17 states and two Union Territories, with a focus on stopping migration, improving infrastructure and bringing urban-level amenities to India’s frontier regions.
The programme was formally launched at Nathanpur in Cachar district, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the initiative reflects the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to develop the “first villages of India” rather than viewing them as the last.
According to officials, the scheme aims to provide better roads, housing, healthcare, digital access and livelihood opportunities in border areas. By ensuring facilities comparable to other parts of the country, the government hopes to check out-migration and strengthen national security through stable and thriving populations.
On arrival, the Union Minister was welcomed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with traditional Barak Valley symbols, including an Uttariya, a Rongmei Naga shawl and a Meitei mat, highlighting the region’s rich cultural heritage. Shah also praised Assam’s rapid infrastructure growth, noting that the state is now constructing over 14 kilometres of roads daily under the current administration.
Despite the political sparring, the Vibrant Villages Programme is being projected as a game-changing intervention, aimed at turning border settlements into vibrant centres of habitation, economic activity and pride for the people who live there.
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