Lok Sabha Question No. 4590 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Dr. D Ravi Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4590

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025)

BROADCASTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND NETWORK DEVELOPMENT 4590.  DR. D RAVI KUMAR:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  projects  or  schemes  have  been  initiated  under 'Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development' (BIND);
- (b) if so, whether the BIND Scheme was approved for 2022-26 with a total outlay of Rs. 2,539.61 crore to modernize Doordarshan and All India Radio infrastructure including digitization, highdefinition studios and FM expansion in border and tribal areas;
- (c) whether  over  Rs.  900  crore  has  been  allocated  with  Rs.  750+ crore  spent  on  equipment  upgrades,  digital  transmission  and  8 new FM transmitters as of 2023-24;
- (d) whether it is true that no major funds under BIND have lapsed, as per  Ministry  records  and  delays  in  tendering  and  infrastructure procurement  have  occasionally  slowed  disbursement  but  are being addressed through streamlined procurement and monitoring systems; and
- (e) whether the scheme aims to improve public broadcasting reach especially in remote and underserved areas and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a)  to  (e):  Broadcasting  Infrastructure  and  Network  Development (BIND) scheme is a central sector scheme for development, modernization and upgradation of broadcasting infrastructure of Doordarshan and Akashvani in the country. BIND scheme for 2021-26 has been approved with a total outlay of Rs. 2539.61 crore.

- It is a pan-India initiative covering all States
- It includes modernization of transmitters and studios, expansion of DD Free Dish DTH platform and DD TV channels, and upgrading production & transmission facilities
- Focuses  on  content  generation  and  innovation,  and  expanding the  reach  of  public  broadcasting  in  strategic,  border,  and  LWEaffected areas

As of the first quarter of FY 2025-26, Rs. 980.69 crore has been spent under the BIND scheme.

DD  Free  Dish  is  the  country's  only  Free-to-Air  Direct-To-Home  (DTH) service that offers a range of television channels without subscription costs across the country. The number of channels on DD Free Dish has increased from 104 channels in 2019 to 510 channels currently, which includes  92  private  channels,  50  Doordarshan  channels  and  320 Educational  channels.  Moreover,  48  Akashvani  channels  and  popular channels  like  FM  Gold,  Rainbow  &  Vividh  Bharati  Service  are  also available on the DTH platform. By serving Indian audiences, including significant viewership in remote areas, it contributes to wider access to news,  information,  educational  programming  and  also  private channels.

The  present  terrestrial  coverage  of  Akashvani  is  about  90%  by geographical area and about 98% by population of the country. Apart from  this,  more  than  260  Akashvani  channels  can  also  be  listened through  'NewsonAIR'  app  on  mobile  phones.  Moreover,  59  new  FM transmitters  have  been  approved  under  BIND  scheme  for  further improving public broadcasting reach. Prasar  Bharati  has  also  launched  its  own  OTT  platform  'WAVES'  in 2024  which  is  a  multi-genre  digital  streaming  aggregator  platform providing  infotainment  content.  It  is  playing  a  key  role  in  making information,  education,  and  culture  easily  available  to  everyone. Various channels of Doordarshan and AIR network are also integrated into WAVES.

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