Union Health Minister meets Border Village Delegates, highlights Development Gains Under Vibrant Villages Programme

New Delhi– Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Thursday chaired a courtesy meeting with representatives from five States and Union Territories — Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh — covered under Phase I of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP). The meeting, held in the national capital, also saw participation from Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, Border Management Secretary Rajendra Kumar, and senior officials from multiple ministries.

Launched in April 2023 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the VVP seeks to revitalise strategically important villages along India’s northern borders, transforming them from “last villages” into the “first villages” of the nation. The initiative focuses on improving quality of life through better connectivity, healthcare, skill development, tourism promotion, and livelihood opportunities.

Addressing the gathering, Nadda said women and youth empowerment remain at the heart of the programme, with training in horticulture, floriculture, and entrepreneurship aimed at reversing migration trends. He noted that the Health Ministry is working to establish at least one Ayushman Arogya Mandir for every 1,000–1,500 residents in these regions, backed by mobile medical units to ensure access to healthcare.

Under Phase I, 662 villages across 19 districts and 46 blocks have been identified for development. Of the 145 health-related projects proposed under VVP, 58 have already been sanctioned, with Arunachal Pradesh receiving the highest allocation. Road connectivity, 4G telecom services, and tourism initiatives are also being rolled out, with ₹3,000 crore earmarked for infrastructure upgrades.

Representatives from participating villages expressed gratitude for the improvements in roads, healthcare, and communication facilities, while urging the government to extend the programme to additional villages not covered in the first phase.

The meeting also underscored VVP’s broader socio-economic vision — to create vibrant rural hubs that integrate cultural heritage, agriculture, renewable energy, and modern infrastructure, encouraging residents to stay and thrive in their native regions.