Parliament Question: Tourism infrastructure in border villages

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3744 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 25TH MARCH, 2026/ CHAITRA 4, 1948 (SAKA) TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE IN BORDER VILLAGES 3744 SHRI R. DHARMAR: Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the features of Vibrant Villages Programme; (b) whether Government has planned to facilitate tourism infrastructure and amenities in border villages of the country through this programme; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) the details of the funds estimated under this programme; (e) the details of the target likely to set under this programme; (f) whether Government has identified the villages likely to be covered under this programme across the country; (g) if so, the details thereof including Tamil Nadu; and (h) the time by when this scheme is likely to be implemented? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI) (a) to (h): The Government approved the Vibrant Villages Programme-I (VVP-I) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on 15th February, 2023 with financial outlay of ₹4,800 Crore for FY 2022-23 to 2025-26 for-2- R.S.US.Q.NO. 3744 FOR 25.03.2026 comprehensive development of the select villages in 46 blocks abutting northern border in 19 districts in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and UT of Ladakh. Initially, 662 border villages have been identified for comprehensive development on priority under the programme. The programme envisages focused areas of interventions in the select villages for creation of opportunities for livelihood generation through promotion of tourism & cultural heritage, skill development & entrepreneurship and development of cooperative societies including agriculture/horticulture, cultivation of medicinal plants/herbs, etc. The interventions also include providing road connectivity to unconnected villages, village infrastructures, health facility, education infrastructure, energy including renewable energy, television & telecom connectivity. The objective of the programme is to create sufficient incentives for people to stay on in the selected villages. Till date, under VVP-I, 263 projects with an outlay of ₹116 crore have been approved for promotion of tourism which include development of viewpoints, adventure tourism, eco-tourism, eco- resorts, trek routes and tourist centers.-3- R.S.US.Q.NO. 3744 FOR 25.03.2026 Furthering the programme, the Government has approved the Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II), as a Central Sector Scheme, with a total outlay of ₹ 6839 crores till the Financial Year 2028-29 for comprehensive development of identified villages located in blocks abutting international land borders(ILBs), other than the Northern Border already covered under VVP-I, in the States/UTs of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The State of Tamil Nadu is not covered under VVP-I and VVP-II. *****