a senior official from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) recently visited Mangan district in north Sikkim to review the progress of critical infrastructure and welfare projects under the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP). The visit underscores the Centre’s growing focus on enhancing connectivity, livelihood opportunities, and strategic readiness in the country’s border regions.
The official, Additional Secretary from the PMO, arrived in Mangan earlier this week and held detailed discussions with state authorities, district officials, and community representatives to assess the implementation of key projects. The Vibrant Village Programme, launched by the central government in 2023, seeks to transform sparsely populated, often overlooked villages along India’s northern borders into self-sustaining, connected, and vibrant communities.
Mangan, located near the Indo-China border, is one of the most strategically sensitive districts in Sikkim. With its rugged terrain and limited access, the area has traditionally suffered from inadequate infrastructure and essential services. The central government’s renewed attention through VVP is seen as a timely intervention, especially in light of evolving geopolitical realities and the need for strengthened borderland resilience.
During the review, the PMO official examined projects related to road construction, internet connectivity, healthcare, education, and renewable energy. Special emphasis was placed on road infrastructure — a key concern in the Himalayan region — with ongoing works aimed at ensuring all-weather connectivity to remote villages like Lachen, Lachung, and Thangu.
“The development of reliable roads in these areas is not just about ease of access, but a matter of national security and dignity of the people who live here,” the official reportedly said during an interaction with the media. He added that the government is committed to ensuring that no village along India’s borders is left behind.
One of the focal points of the VVP is to stop outmigration from border villages by improving living conditions and economic prospects. In Mangan, the review covered the creation of homestay tourism models, skill training centres, and agricultural support services aimed at sustaining local livelihoods. Officials from the Rural Development Department presented progress on model village layouts and cluster-based economic plans that integrate traditional strengths like yak-rearing, handicrafts, and organic farming.
The review also included a visit to primary health centres and schools upgraded under the programme. Solar-powered lighting, digital classrooms, and telemedicine services were among the initiatives showcased as part of the broader strategy to make basic services accessible in high-altitude terrain.
Local community members expressed appreciation for the government’s efforts, highlighting the improved infrastructure and outreach services. However, they also raised concerns regarding delays in certain projects due to weather challenges, supply chain disruptions, and workforce shortages. In response, the PMO official assured them that bottlenecks are being addressed through inter-ministerial coordination and real-time monitoring.
Sikkim Chief Secretary V.B. Pathak, who accompanied the official, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with the Centre to make the Vibrant Village Programme a success. “Our people in the high-altitude regions are the guardians of our borders. Their welfare and development are essential for our collective national strength,” he said.
The Vibrant Village Programme is being implemented in a phased manner across Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, and Sikkim. The first phase includes over 660 villages, many of which lie close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The programme focuses on four pillars: infrastructure, livelihood, governance, and community involvement — a holistic model intended to ensure inclusive growth with strategic importance.
As the visit concluded, the official emphasized the importance of regular reviews and direct feedback from citizens. “Our goal is not just to build infrastructure, but to build trust and opportunity,” he said, marking a new chapter in India’s approach to borderland development.
With such high-level attention and a coordinated push from both the Centre and the state, Mangan and similar regions are poised to transition from isolation to vibrancy — proving that even the remotest corners of the country can be brought into the mainstream with the right vision and sustained action.