The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reported early signs of reverse migration in some border villages of Arunachal Pradesh, attributing this trend to the ongoing Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP). Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs, shared this information with the Lok Sabha on February 3rd, noting that the Arunachal Pradesh government has observed people returning to villages in the border districts of Kurung Kumey, Dibang Valley, and Shi-Yomi.
The VVP, approved in February 2023 as a centrally sponsored scheme, aims to comprehensively develop select villages along India's northern border. The program initially focused on 662 villages across 46 blocks in 19 districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and the Union Territory of Ladakh. In April 2025, VVP-II was approved, extending coverage to 1,954 villages in border blocks along international land borders in 15 states and two Union territories beyond the northern border region.
The primary objective of the VVP is to improve the quality of life and create livelihood opportunities for residents of border villages, thereby ensuring safe and prosperous borders. It also seeks to integrate the border population with the nation and involve them in safeguarding internal security. The development and connectivity initiatives are designed to prevent out-migration from these villages.
Under VVP-I, the MHA has sanctioned 2,558 projects and works with a total outlay of Rs 3,431 crore. Arunachal Pradesh received the largest share, with Rs 2,750 crore allocated for 2,082 projects. These projects encompass a wide range of activities, including awareness campaigns, service delivery camps, training and capacity building initiatives, health and veterinary camps, fairs and festivals, and tourism promotion. Over 8,500 such activities have been undertaken, with 2,966 in Arunachal Pradesh, 2,221 in Ladakh, 1,836 in Uttarakhand, 1,016 in Himachal Pradesh, and 530 in Sikkim. An outlay of Rs 6,839 crore has been approved for VVP-II until 2028-29, covering villages in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar and other states.
While the central government has not yet conducted a formal impact assessment of the VVP on reverse migration, women's entrepreneurship, and youth-led rural innovation, the Arunachal Pradesh government has reported these early signs of return migration. In the past, lack of development and infrastructural bottlenecks have caused significant out-migration from border villages to the foothills. The construction of roads, such as the Hapoli-Sarli-Huri Road, has also played a role in triggering reverse migration by improving connectivity.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has emphasized the importance of achieving 100% saturation of government schemes, promoting tourism, and encouraging cooperative institutions to create employment opportunities in these villages. He noted that increased population in border villages after implementing the VVP in Arunachal Pradesh indicates that the trend of reverse migration is moving in the right direction.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has also highlighted the state government's focus on improving connectivity, communication, and agricultural activities in border areas, contributing to the observed reverse migration. Initiatives like the Golden Jubilee Border Village Illumination Programme, which includes the construction of micro, mini, and small hydropower projects, further support this development.