Parliament Question: Progress under BIND Scheme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1629 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2026) PROGRESS UNDER BIND SCHEME

1629. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI MUKESHKUMAR CHANDRAKAANT DALAL:

SHRI YOGENDER CHANDOLIA:

SHRI DULU MAHATO:

SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO:

SHRI RADHESHYAM RATHIYA:

SHRI KOTA SRINIVASA POOJARY:

SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA:

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

(a) whether the Government has reviewed the progress made under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme for modernisation of Prasar Bharati during the last one year and if so, the details thereof;(b) whether the Government has undertaken infrastructure and technological upgrades, including digitisation, High Definition broadcasting, transmitter modernisation and strengthening of broadcasting facilities and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has assessed the quality, reach and accessibility of Doordarshan and Akashvani services across the country and if so, the details thereof, State and district-wise particularly in Maharashtra including Jalgaon Lok Sabha Constituency along with the steps taken in this regard;

(d) whether the Government proposes to further modernise broadcasting infrastructure and expand digital public service broadcasting in underserved regions of the country and if so, the details thereof, State and district-wise particularly for Jalgaon Lok Sabha Constituency;

(e) whether the Government has evaluated the impact of the BIND Scheme on strengthening public service broadcasting and digital media outreach and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the status of Doordarshan and Akashvani Kendra in Palghar district and provision to enhance the regional services in regional language like Marathi? 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 Doordarshan and Akashvani's broadcasting infrastructure, approved with an outlay of ₹2539.61 crore for 2021- 26 and extended upto 31.03.2027.The Scheme provides for modernization of broadcasting infrastructure through upgradation of transmitters, studios, production and transmission facilities, expansion of the DD Free Dish DTH platform and Doordarshan channels, and other initiatives to strengthen public service broadcasting.

Major infrastructure and technological upgrades undertaken under the Scheme include: i. Digitalisation: Most Doordarshan studios have been digitalised. File-based workflow facilities have been provided, including an end-to-end facility at Hyderabad and a two-channel automated play-out system for the DD National channel. E-governance has been completed at 125 Akashvani stations.

ii. High Definition broadcasting: DD Sahyadri, DD Girnar and DD Odia were launched in HD format in June 2025. Four studios of DD News and the Central Production Centre, Delhi have been upgraded to HD. Native UHD mobile production facilities (OB vans), UHD modular fly-pack OB units, 4K cameras and allied equipment have been provided. HD BARC watermarking systems have been installed to collect viewership data.

iii. Transmitter modernisation: 116 FM transmitters have been commissioned. In sensitive areas along the Indo-Nepal border, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, 5 FM transmitters have been commissioned and 7 supplied. Four digital-ready high-power TV transmitters have been commissioned in Jammu & Kashmir and a 10 kW HD-ready transmitter at Himbotingla in Ladakh. Tower strengthening has been completed at 16 locations.

iv. Strengthening of broadcasting facilities: Earth stations at various Kendras have been upgraded to HD-compliant and spectrum-efficient set-ups. The DD Free Dish platform has been expanded from 112 to 118 SDTV channels. Refurbishing of Akashvani studios has been completed at 18 locations, air-conditioning plants replaced at 31 locations and 15 gensets replaced. Visual Radio has been introduced.The Government continuously assesses impact of its programmes. Akashvani's combined MW/FM coverage is about 98% by population and about 90% by area. "DD Free Dish" is receivable anywhere in the country free of subscription. Over 260 Akashvani channels, including 28 from Maharashtra, are on the "NewsOnAir" app; Doordarshan and Akashvani content is also available on "WAVES" and on social media.

Maharashtra has three Programme Production Centres - Doordarshan Kendra, Mumbai, and Programme Generating Facilities at Pune and Nagpur. UHD mobile production facilities and fly-pack OB units have been provided for field production in the State.

In Jalgaon Lok Sabha Constituency, Akashvani's Jalgaon station has a 20 kW Medium Wave and a 5 kW FM transmitter, and DD Free Dish signals (including DD Sahyadri) are receivable in the Constituency.

Projects for further modernisation and expansion of broadcasting facilities- including in Left Wing Extremism affected areas, border areas, aspirational districts and underserved areas — have been approved, comprising 82 new FM transmitters and upgradation of 126 existing ones.

In Maharashtra, 2 new FM transmitters and upgradation of 11 (including Jalgaon's 5 kW transmitter to 10 kW) have been approved.

Digital public service broadcasting continues to expand through DD Free Dish, WAVES, "NewsOnAir" and other social media platforms.

Palghar district is covered by the Medium Wave coverage of Akashvani, Mumbai, which broadcasts in Marathi. DD Sahyadri, a 24x7 Marathi channel for Maharashtra beamed from Doordarshan Kendra, Mumbai, covers art, culture, heritage, news and Government schemes for the entire State including Jalgaon and Palghar. It is also available on DD Free Dish, "WAVES" and YouTube. Akashvani Maharashtra channels are also on the "NewsOnAir" app, enhancing regional language content in the district.

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