Centre Highlights Border Infrastructure Push Through BADP and Vibrant Villages Programmes

The Government of India has said that border infrastructure and development initiatives continue to play a key role in improving the quality of life in villages and towns located along the country’s international borders. The Border Area Development Programme (BADP), which covers habitations situated within 0 to 10 kilometres of the international border in 16 states and 2 Union Territories, has been used over the years to address the special development needs of people living in these strategically important areas.

According to the government, the primary objective of BADP has been to support the well-being of border communities by creating essential infrastructure through convergence with central, state, Union Territory and local schemes. The programme has supported projects related to health, education, roads, agriculture, sports, drinking water, sanitation, the social sector and small-scale industries. The government noted that the scheme is currently in its sunset phase.

Since the financial year 2004-05, a total of 39,248 works and projects have been approved under BADP across bordering states and Union Territories, including Punjab. These projects have included the construction of roads, foot suspension bridges, bridges and culverts, residential quarters for doctors, paramedics and other health personnel, additional rooms in health centres, classrooms, anganwadi centres, school hostels and dormitories, among other facilities aimed at strengthening basic infrastructure in remote border regions.

The government also highlighted efforts to improve livelihood opportunities in these areas. As many as 3,273 works and projects have been approved for livelihood generation, including tourism infrastructure, market sheds, mini haats, market yards and skill development initiatives. These interventions are intended to create economic opportunities and reduce the developmental disadvantages often faced by people living in border districts.

Alongside BADP, the Centre has been rolling out the Vibrant Villages Programme to promote comprehensive development in selected border villages. Vibrant Villages Programme-I was approved on February 15, 2023, covering 662 villages in blocks abutting the northern border across four states and one Union Territory. The second phase, Vibrant Villages Programme-II, was approved on April 2, 2025, and extends support to 1,954 selected villages located in blocks along international land borders other than the northern border, including the Indo-Pakistan border, across 15 states and 2 Union Territories till FY 2028-29.

The government’s latest statement underscores a broader policy focus on strengthening infrastructure, services and livelihood opportunities in border areas, while also ensuring that strategically important villages receive sustained developmental attention. The information was shared by Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Source: PIB