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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 quality of broadcasting
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)(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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