PMO official reviews development projects under Vibrant Village Programme in Mangan district

Subhasish Panda, Additional Secretary from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), visited Mangan district today to review the progress of various projects under the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP). This important visit focused on checking the ongoing development work in the region, especially in the villages located near the border areas.

The Vibrant Village Programme is a central government scheme aimed at bringing all-round development to select border villages. The goal of the programme is to improve roads, bridges, electricity, internet connectivity, and sources of income in these areas. It also aims to promote eco-tourism to improve the lives of people living in these remote villages and strengthen India’s border security.

The Additional Secretary was warmly received at the Seven Sisters Falls in Phamtam by District Collector Anant Jain, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Kabi, Monika Rai, Block Development Officer of Kabi, Tashi Wangyal Bhutia, and members of the local panchayat.

During a detailed briefing, the District Collector gave Panda an overview of the Mangan district and explained the status of various VVP projects. He shared updates on works that are already underway and others that are still waiting for approval. One of the key proposals discussed was the beautification of the Seven Sisters Falls, a scenic location that holds potential for tourism development.

After this, Panda and the officials visited the ruins of Ongdichi Palace at Phodong, an ancient and culturally important site. Plans are being made to restore and beautify the site and turn it into a major tourist attraction. This move is expected to bring more visitors to the area and also preserve the local heritage.

The team also visited the Mendroling Gumpa, a well-known monastery that holds deep spiritual and cultural value for the local people. The monastery is known for its peaceful surroundings and religious importance.

Later, the PMO official travelled to Tingchim, where he inspected several key project sites. These included the Tingchim Lake, Dewani Gaon View Point, and the under-construction Tingchim Community Hall. At each site, he was welcomed by BDO Mangan, Kailash Thapa, local panchayat members, and residents of the area. He carefully reviewed the progress and spoke with officials to understand how the work was being carried out.

Towards the end of his tour, Panda visited Sankalang, an area that was affected by recent flash floods. He was briefed by the District Collector about the damage caused by the natural disaster and the steps being taken to rebuild essential infrastructure. One of the main projects is the restoration of a permanent bridge that was damaged in the floods. For now, a temporary bamboo footbridge has been built to help people cross and stay connected. The Additional Secretary walked across this bridge himself to see the conditions on the ground.