The central government has included five villages in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal in the first phase of its Vibrant Villages Programme. The scheme targets development of remote border areas.
The villages are Laxmipur in Boyra-I Gram Panchayat, Gangulia, Hamkura and Bagui in Asharu Gram Panchayat, and Mathabhanga in Koniara-II Gram Panchayat.
A review meeting took place at the Bagdah Block Development Office. It was attended by Bagdah MLA Soma Thakur, Border Security Force personnel, Bagdah police and district officials.
Talks centred on projects to upgrade roads, schools and other public facilities in the selected villages.
Soma Thakur said the initiative would boost connectivity and civic services in the border region, supporting wider development.
The Vibrant Villages Programme seeks comprehensive improvement of isolated and strategically important border settlements. It aims to enhance infrastructure, public services, transport links and economic options while curbing migration from frontier zones.
The scheme treats these communities as India’s first villages rather than its last, highlighting their role in national security and growth.
Phase I covered villages along the northern border. Phase II extends the fully funded central scheme to key settlements along all land borders.
The selection of these five villages brings West Bengal into the expanded phase and is expected to deliver focused development support to the district’s border communities.
