Parliament Question: Expansion of AIR and DD Services in Ujjain-Alot Region

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5478 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2026) EXPANSION OF AIR AND DD SERVICES IN UJJAIN-ALOT REGION 5478. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA: Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state: (a) the details of the steps taken for the expansion of All India Radio (Akashvani) and Doordarshan services as well as for the broadcast of local cultural programmes during the last five years in the Ujjain-Alot Lok Sabha Constituency; (b) the number of proposals received for the establishment of Community Radio Stations (CRS) in the Ujjain-Alot region along with the details of those sanctioned and those currently lying pending; (c) whether there is any proposal or scheme to launch special programmes through Doordarshan/Akashvani to promote the local language and culture of Ujjain-Alot Lok Sabha Constituency; and (d) the details of the programmes or campaigns being run by the Government for the regulation of digital media, curbing of fake news and creating public awareness in the Ujjain-Alot region? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN) (a) to (d): A 5 kW FM station is operational at Ujjain, along with a 100 W FM relay station commissioned at Nagda on 28.04.2023, strengthening regional broadcasting coverage. The programme generating Akashvani station has recently been made operational in Ujjain, originating around 6 hours of local programming daily. The Government supports modernization and upgradation of broadcasting infrastructure through the Broadcasting Infrastructureand Network Development (BIND) scheme. The Scheme has an outlay of ₹2539 crore for 2021–26. Under the BIND scheme, a project for setting up a permanent studio facility at Akashvani Ujjain for local programme production has already been sanctioned. More than 260 Akashvani channels, including those from Madhya Pradesh, are available globally through the “NewsOnAir” mobile app. A proposal for establishing a Community Radio Station (CRS) in the Ujjain region has been sanctioned by the Ministry. Doordarshan Madhya Pradesh, a 24×7 channel from Doordarshan Kendra Bhopal, telecasts programmes on culture, heritage, literature, governance and current affairs of the State, including the Ujjain-Alot region. DD Free Dish provides free-to-air access to these services across the region. Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform, WAVES, which offers a wide range of infotainment content, also has live channel of DD Madhya Pradesh. Prasar Bharati covers culturally significant events based on their national or regional importance and public interest. Major events such as the inauguration of the Mahakal Corridor in Ujjain have been widely broadcast, highlighting India’s rich cultural heritage. Prasar Bharati regularly broadcasts programmes, discussions and public awareness campaigns on issues of misinformation, fake news and responsible use of digital platforms. These initiatives, along with continuous dissemination of verified news and information, contribute to curbing fake news and promoting informed public engagement in the Ujjain–Alot region. To address misinformation and fake news, the Government has also established a robust mechanism. The Fact Check Unit (FCU) verifies information related to the Central Government, identifies misinformation and disseminates accurate content through digital and broadcast platforms. ******