<p>The <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)</strong> has informed Parliament that the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Border Area Development Programme — a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at providing infrastructure and livelihood support to villages within 0‑10 km of India’s international borders (GS3: Economy)">BADP</span> is now in its sunset phase, while the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Vibrant Villages Programme — a two‑phase initiative for comprehensive development of border‑area villages, focusing on infrastructure, livelihood and social sectors (GS3: Economy)">Vibrant Villages Programme</span> (VVP) is being expanded.</p>
<h3>Key Developments</h3>
<ul>
<li>BADP, operational since FY 2004‑05, has approved <strong>39,248 projects</strong> across 16 states and 2 UTs, covering roads, health facilities, schools, bridges, and livelihood assets.</li>
<li>For livelihood creation, <strong>3,273 projects</strong> under BADP target tourism infrastructure, market sheds, and skill‑development centres.</li>
<li><strong>VVP‑I</strong> was approved on <strong>15 February 2023</strong> for 662 villages in blocks adjoining the northern border (4 states + 1 UT).</li>
<li><strong>VVP‑II</strong> received approval on <strong>2 April 2025</strong> for <strong>1,954 villages</strong> along all International Land Borders (ILBs) except the northern frontier, covering 15 states and 2 UTs, with implementation slated till FY 2028‑29.</li>
<li>The information was disclosed by <strong>Shri Nityanand Rai</strong>, Minister of State (Home Affairs), in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Facts</h3>
<p>The BADP coverage radius is defined as <span class="key-term" data-definition="Crow‑fly aerial distance — the straight‑line distance between two points, used here to demarcate the 0‑10 km zone from the first habitation on the International Border (IB) (GS3: Geography)">0‑10 km</span> from the first habitation on the <span class="key-term" data-definition="International Border — the legally recognised boundary separating India from its neighbouring countries (GS2: Polity)">IB</span>. The programme’s convergence model integrates central, state, UT and local schemes to avoid duplication.</p>
<p>Under BADP, infrastructure built includes:
<ul>
<li>Roads, <span class="key-term" data-definition="FSB — Frontier Service Bunk, a security post near the border (GS2: Polity)">FSBs</span>, bridges and culverts.</li>
<li>Health sector assets: residential quarters for doctors, additional rooms in health centres, and upgraded primary health centres.</li>
<li>Education sector assets: extra classrooms, Anganwadi centres, hostels and dormitories.</li>
</ul>
</p>
<h3>UPSC Relevance</h3>
<p>Understanding BADP and VVP is essential for GS III (Infrastructure, Rural Development, Border Management) and GS II (Internal Security, Centre‑State Relations). The schemes illustrate how the Union Government addresses asymmetric development in strategic border zones, a recurring theme in essay and interview questions on national security, regional disparity and welfare‑state models.</p>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>With BADP entering its sunset phase, the focus will shift to VVP‑II, which emphasizes:</p>
<ul>
<li>Integrated infrastructure (roads, water, sanitation) in border villages.</li>
<li>Livelihood generation through tourism, market infrastructure and skill training.</li>
<li>Enhanced coordination among central ministries, state governments and local bodies.</li>
</ul>
<p>Effective monitoring, timely fund release and community participation will be critical to achieving the programme’s objectives before FY 2028‑29.</p>
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