From Periphery to Priority: Roads, Schools and Healthcare for 1,954 Border Villages

In a major push for development and security in India’s northeastern frontier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today launched the ₹6,839 crore Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP‑II) in Nathanpur village, Assam , and later travelled to Tripura to attend the Joint Regional Official Language Conference in Agartala.

Addressing a large gathering in Assam’s Barak Valley , Mr Shah highlighted the programme’s vision of transforming border villages into “first villages” of India , ending decades of neglect. He said the initiative will bring roads, electricity, education, healthcare, employment and telecommunications to 1,954 villages across 17 states , including 140 villages in Assam . “Border villages will now be developed at par with any other village in India,” he said.

The Home Minister praised the BJP government’s record in Assam , noting that over the last decade, the state saw an average of 14 km of roads built per day , over 24,000 km of roads upgraded, and hundreds of bridges constructed. He said multi-dimensional poverty has fallen from 37% to 14% , and per capita income has nearly tripled from ₹49,000 to ₹1,54,000 . He also cited the establishment of a ₹27,000 crore semiconductor plant and significant allocations for roads, railways, and airports, positioning Assam for rapid growth in the coming years.

Later in the day, Mr Shah arrived in Agartala, Tripura , where he inaugurated the Joint Regional Official Language Conference , attended by more than 3,000 officials from across northern, eastern, and northeastern states. The conference featured book releases, exhibitions, and discussions aimed at promoting official language use in governance and administration . Security arrangements were tightened across Agartala to ensure smooth conduct of the programme.

With the Vibrant Villages Programme–II and active engagement in Tripura, the Home Minister signalled the government’s intent to ensure that border development, security, and linguistic integration go hand in hand, contributing to a stronger and more secure Northeast India .