Lok Sabha Question No. 6080 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Doordarshan Services in Bhagalpur
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Ajay Kumar Mandal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 6080

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026)

## DOORDARSHAN SERVICES IN BHAGALPUR

## 6080.  SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:

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

- (a)  the present status of Akashvani/Doordarshan services in Bhagalpur;
- (b)  the initiatives taken to expand digital broadcasting;
- (c)  the plans proposed to provide a platform to local artists and cultural programmes; and
- (d)  the details of steps taken by the Government to promote community radio stations?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a)  to  (d): Akashvani Bhagalpur  operates a 20 kW MW and a 100 W FM transmitter. Akashvani Bhagalpur is equipped with a fully digital studio setup. It  broadcasts programmes for 17 hours 20 minutes daily, from 5:50 AM to 11:20  PM. Of  this  total  broadcast  time,  12  hours  32  minutes  are  original programmes produced by the station, while 4 hours 48 minutes are relayed programmes.  The  programmes  are  broadcast  in  Hindi, English, Urdu, Sanskrit, Santhali and Angika dialect.

Akashvani engages regional talent by providing opportunities to local artists, musicians,  writers,  and  performers  to  showcase  their  work.  These  efforts help preserve traditional  art  forms,  nurture  emerging  talent,  and  strengthen community connect.

DD Bihar, beamed  from  Doodarshan  Kendra,  Patna,  telecasts  programmes related  to  art,  culture  and  cultural  heritage,  literature,  history,  heritage, traditions, people, eminent personalities, news and current affairs etc. of the entire  state  of  Bihar  including  Bhagalpur. DD  Bihar  produces and  telecasts regional content by engaging local artists/talent.

More  than  260  Akashvani  channels,  including  Akashvani  Live  News  24x7, Vividh  Bharati,  Raagam,  etc.,  along  with  7  Akashvani  channels  from  Bihar (including Akashvani Bhagalpur), are available on the 'News on AIR' mobile app on both Android and iOS platforms.

Doordarshan is providing Free-to-Air Direct-To-Home (DTH) service that can be received anywhere in the country, including Bhagalpur district in Bihar. This  service  is  available  to  all  viewers  across  the  country  without  any month subscription cost. All the Doordarshan channels including DD Bihar, a 24x7 dedicated channel for the state of Bihar, are available on 'DD Free Dish'.

Prasar  Bharati  has  also  launched  its  own  OTT  platform  'Waves'  in  2024 providing infotainment content. It is playing a key role in making information, education,  and  culture  easily  available  to  everyone.  Various  channels  of Doordarshan  including  DD  Bihar  and  AIR  network  are  also  integrated  into Waves OTT.

Community radios are supported under "Supporting Community Radio Movement  in  India" -  a  Central  Sector  Scheme.  The  objectives  of  the scheme  are  to  strengthen  new  and  existing  Community  Radio  Stations (CRSs)  with  resources,  capacity  and  technology.  To  promote  growth  of community radio, particularly in remote and rural areas, support is provided under the scheme. It facilitates socio-economic and cultural development by providing  communities  with  a  platform  for  local  voices  and  participation  in development processes.

Financial  assistance  is  provided  to  new  and  existing  CRSs  for  following components.

-  Procurement or replacement of equipment;
-  Capacity building and training of community radio operators;
-  Organisation of workshops, seminars and regional/national Sammelans for  gathering  feedback, creating  awareness and promoting knowledge sharing;

The  Government  has also developed a content sharing platform on the NaViGate  Bharat  Portal to  archive  and  share  community  radio  content among  the  Community  Radio  Stations.  It  enables  stations  to  upload  and reuse  quality  programmes,  creating  a  centralized  repository  of  development and cultural content.

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