Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Chairs First Vibrant Villages Programme Meeting for Border Development
SRINAGAR, JULY 14, 2026: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired the inaugural meeting of the Union Territory Level Screening Committee (UTLSC) to review and finalize a comprehensive development roadmap under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP). Convened by the Planning, Development & Monitoring Department (PD&MD), the meeting brought together administrative secretaries, heads of departments, and district deputy commissioners to assess proposals spanning eight border districts.
Dulloo emphasized that all developmental interventions must be executed in a mission mode, urging departments to ensure seamless coordination and optimum resource utilization to significantly uplift the quality of life in remote border areas. Highlighting the strategic importance of these regions, he noted that the VVP offers a unique opportunity to transform the socio-economic landscape through integrated planning and the time-bound delivery of central and union territory welfare schemes.
Detailing the vision of the initiative, Commissioner Secretary of PD&MD, R. Alice Vaz, explained that the program focuses on creating sustainable livelihoods by promoting tourism, cultural heritage, skill development, entrepreneurship, cooperatives, agriculture, and the cultivation of medicinal plants.
The plan also prioritizes robust infrastructure upgrades, including connecting isolated habitations via roads, improving housing, enhancing renewable and grid energy access, and expanding telecom and television networks to encourage residents to remain in their villages. Presenting the project portfolio, VVP Nodal Officer Owais Ahmad revealed a massive layout of infrastructure and livelihood projects across multiple districts, including 526 projects in Jammu, 195 in Poonch, 121 in Samba, 117 in Kathua, 121 in Samba, 92 in Rajouri, 83 in Baramulla, and 57 in Bandipora.
Furthermore, the committee noted that under PMGSY-IV, road connectivity will be extended to 24 currently uncovered villages, alongside providing 8,513 households with on-grid electricity and distributing DTH set-top boxes to 16,702 households to boost connectivity. The meeting concluded with Dulloo directing all departments to maintain strict inter-departmental coordination to ensure the border villages become economically vibrant and socially resilient.