Lok Sabha Question No. 3072 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development Scheme
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Malaiyarasan D

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3072

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026)

## BROADCASTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND NETWORK DEVELOPMENT SCHEME 3072.  SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:

Will the Minister of Information and Broadcasting be pleased to state:

- (a) the  objectives  and  scope  of  Prasar  Bharati's  Broadcasting  Infrastructure  and  Network Development (BIND) scheme;
- (b) the manner in which the BIND scheme aims to modernize broadcasting infrastructure and enhance the reach of Doordarshan and All India Radio across the country;
- (c) the manner in which the BIND scheme contributed to improving the quality and reach of broadcasting services provided by Doordarshan and All India Radio;
- (d) the  details  of  measures  undertaken  under  the  scheme  to  provide  High-Definition  (HD) and digital services to rural and remote areas;
- (e) whether the BIND scheme include provisions for the development of regional content to cater to diverse linguistic and cultural audiences; and
- (f) if so, the mechanisms put in place to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the BIND scheme?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a)  to  (f):  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,  a  pan-India  initiative  covering  all States, has been approved with a total outlay of Rs. 2539.61 crore for 2021-26. It includes setting up and modernization of transmitters and studios, expansion of DD Free Dish DTH platform and DD  TV  channels,  and  upgrading  production  &  transmission  facilities.  It  focuses  on  content generation and innovation, and expanding the reach of public broadcasting in strategic, border, and LWE-affected areas.

The implementation of projects under BIND scheme are regularly monitored by Prasar Bharati and the Ministry .

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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