Centre Set to Launch Coastal Vibrant Villages Programme to Strengthen Maritime Security and Community Engagement

The Union government is preparing to roll out the Coastal Vibrant Villages Programme, a new initiative aimed at deepening engagement with India’s coastal communities while strengthening maritime security. Modeled on the successful Vibrant Villages Programme implemented along India’s land borders, the coastal version seeks to integrate development, security awareness, and citizen participation across villages located along the country’s nearly 6,500-kilometre coastline.

The announcement was made by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Director General Praveer Ranjan, who highlighted the growing importance of coastal areas not only as economic hubs but also as sensitive security zones requiring sustained community involvement.

Representative Image | Economic Times

Learning from the Border Villages Model

The Vibrant Villages Programme was launched to improve infrastructure, livelihoods, and connectivity in remote border villages while encouraging residents to remain rooted in strategically important areas. Drawing from this model, the Coastal Vibrant Villages Programme aims to replicate similar outcomes along the coastline by ensuring that development and security go hand in hand.

Under the proposed framework, coastal villages will be actively engaged through regular interaction with security forces, awareness campaigns, and welfare-oriented initiatives. The CISF has already adopted 52 coastal villages, marking the first phase of implementation and signaling a shift toward community-centric maritime security.

Community Participation at the Core of Coastal Security

A central objective of the programme is to turn coastal residents into informed and alert stakeholders in national security. Fishermen, youth, and local residents are often the first to notice unusual maritime activity, making their participation critical in preventing threats such as smuggling, illegal infiltration, and trafficking.

By building trust and cooperation between security agencies and villagers, the programme seeks to establish an early-warning ecosystem along India’s shores. The initiative also emphasizes youth engagement, encouraging young people to take pride in safeguarding their coastal heritage while contributing to national security.

Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon as an Outreach Platform

To reinforce this message of participation and vigilance, the CISF will organize the Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon-2026, scheduled from January 28 to February 22, 2026. Covering thousands of kilometres across India’s coastline, the cyclothon will pass through multiple coastal states, stopping at villages, schools, and fishing communities.

The event is designed as a moving outreach campaign, fostering dialogue with local populations on maritime safety, national unity, and civic responsibility. It also serves as a visible symbol of the government’s commitment to staying connected with coastal communities at the grassroots level.

Strengthening Port and Maritime Infrastructure Security

Alongside village-level engagement, the Coastal Vibrant Villages Programme fits into a broader national strategy to enhance port and maritime infrastructure security. India has more than 230 ports, including 78 EXIM ports that handle international trade, making them critical economic and strategic assets.

The CISF has been designated a Recognised Security Organisation for ports, expanding its role in security planning, audits, and training at seaports. The government is also in the process of establishing a Bureau of Port Security, aimed at standardizing security protocols and bringing port security closer to the robust frameworks already in place at airports.

Coastal Development Beyond Security

The programme complements existing coastal development initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, which focuses on improving the livelihoods of fishermen and building climate-resilient coastal villages. Together, these efforts reflect a holistic approach that links security with economic opportunity, environmental resilience, and social welfare.

By aligning security objectives with development goals, the government aims to ensure that coastal populations see tangible benefits from their participation, reinforcing long-term cooperation and trust.

The MGMM Outlook

India’s move to launch the Coastal Vibrant Villages Programme reflects a clear recognition that maritime security and coastal development are deeply interconnected. By extending the successful border villages model to India’s 6,500-kilometre coastline, the initiative places coastal communities at the heart of national security planning. Regular engagement between security forces and villagers, especially fishermen and youth, strengthens vigilance against threats such as smuggling and infiltration while also building trust at the grassroots level. The CISF’s adoption of coastal villages and outreach efforts like the Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon underline a shift from a purely enforcement-driven approach to one rooted in participation, awareness, and shared responsibility.

At the same time, the programme fits into a broader strategy that links security with economic opportunity and infrastructure protection. With India’s ports playing a critical role in global trade, enhanced port security frameworks, the CISF’s expanded mandate, and the proposed Bureau of Port Security add institutional depth to coastal governance. When combined with livelihood-focused schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, the initiative signals an integrated approach where development reinforces security and vice versa. Empowered coastal villages, backed by strong institutions and inclusive growth, are positioned to become a durable frontline in safeguarding India’s maritime interests while ensuring long-term resilience along its shores.

(Sources: Economic Times, DD India, Hindustan Times)