Lok Sabha Question No. 4174 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: BIND Scheme in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Navaskani K, Shri Selvam G, Shri C N Annadurai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4174

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026)

## BIND SCHEME IN TAMIL NADU

## 4174.  SHRI C N ANNADURAI:

SHRI SELVAM G:

SHRI NAVASKANI K:

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

(a)

whether the

Government is

aware that

the

Central

Sector

Scheme

'Broadcasting

Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND)' has been approved to modernise and upgrade the broadcasting infrastructure of Doordarshan and All India Radio;

(b)  if  so,  the  total  funds  allocated,  released  and  utilised  under  the  BIND  Scheme  in  Tamil

Nadu during the last three financial years, station-wise;

(c)   the  details  of  projects  undertaken  in  Tamil  Nadu  for  strengthening  transmission  facilities, studios, towers and digital broadcasting infrastructure under the said Scheme;

(d)

whether the

Government has

assessed the

adequacy and

infrastructure in rural, coastal and remote regions of Tamil Nadu; and

(e)  the steps being taken by the Government to ensure timely completion, optimal utilisation of funds and improved regional language and public service broadcasting across Tamil Nadu?

## ANSWER

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

(DR. L. MURUGAN)

quality of

broadcasting

(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 has been approved with a total outlay of ₹ 2540 crore for 2021-26. A total amount of ₹1,355 crore has been released to Prasar Bharati under the scheme so far, including ₹371 crore (2023-24), ₹262 crore (2024-25), and ₹370 crore in 2025-26 (up to February 2026).

The implementation of projects under BIND scheme are regularly monitored by Prasar Bharati and the Ministry.  For the State of Tamil Nadu,  several  projects have been sanctioned under the BIND Scheme, of which over ₹3 crore has already been spent in the last three years.

Akashvani operates 17 broadcasting stations in the State of Tamil Nadu, providing terrestrial coverage  across  the  State,  including  rural,  coastal  and  remote  regions.  To  strengthen  FM coverage, a 10 kW FM transmitter at Kumbakonam and 5 kW FM transmitters at Vellore and Yercaud were commissioned on 01.03.2026. Other approved works include replacement of FM transmitters at Chennai, Dharmapuri and Tiruchirappalli, a new studio building at Nagercoil, and replacement of analog consoles at Dharmapuri and Nagercoil.

Projects for Doordarshan in Tamil Nadu under the Scheme include modernization of program production  facilities  to  HD, augmentation  of  news  production  equipment,  and installation  of active video walls and an HD watermarking system for DD Tamil.

Doordarshan's Free-To-Air Direct-to-Home (DTH) service, 'DD Free Dish,' is available across the  country,  including  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu. Prasar  Bharati has  also  launched  its  OTT platform WAVES in 2024, a digital streaming aggregator providing infotainment content.

More than 260 Akashvani channels, including Akashvani channels in Tamil Nadu, are available on  mobile  phones  through  the  'NewsOnAir'  mobile  app.  These  and  other  pan-India  digital broadcasting  initiatives  are  being  continuously  expanded  under  the  BIND  Scheme,  and  are extended across the country, including the State of Tamil Nadu.

Prasar  Bharati  launched  the  revamped  DD  Tamil  channel  on  19  January  2024.  It  is  a  24×7 dedicated television channel being broadcast through satellite and terrestrial networks. DD Tamil broadcasts  programmes  in  Tamil  language  covering  art,  culture,  literature,  history,  heritage, traditions, eminent personalities, and people-centric content.

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