**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha (No. 2782) regarding the expansion of Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR). It details the steps taken by the Government of India to expand and modernize Akashvani and Doordarshan Kendras (DDK) across all states, especially focusing on Tamil Nadu. A key date mentioned is 1st April 2025, when 28 regional language channels, including Tamil, were onboarded on DD Free Dish.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Expansion and Modernization:**
* The government has undertaken measures to expand and modernize Akashvani and Doordarshan Kendras (DDK) across all states.
* Kendras are being upgraded under the Central Sector Scheme Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND), approved with an outlay of ₹2,539.61 crore for 2021–26.
* The Scheme focuses on digitalization/modernization of studios and transmitters, replacement of obsolete equipment, expansion of coverage, and adoption of new broadcasting technologies.
* BIND also funds transmitter upgrades, FM expansion, and digitalisation projects to bridge coverage gaps and improve signal reach, reliability, and quality.
* **Specific Projects in Tamil Nadu (under BIND):**
* Commissioning of 20kW FM transmitter at Rameshwaram.
* Installation of 5 kW FM transmitter at Salem, Vellore and 10kW FM transmitter at Kumbakonam has been approved.
* Installation of Uplink Antenna System and UPS at Earth Station Chennai.
* Installation of Virtual Radio System at Chennai has been approved.
* Automation and modernization of Programme Production Facilities to High Definition (HD), Augmentation of New Production equipment, installation of active LED video walls in DDK Chennai.
* **Tamil Language Broadcasting:**
* The revamped DD Tamil channel was launched on 19th January 2024, a 24x7 dedicated channel broadcast through satellite and terrestrial networks.
* DD Tamil broadcasts programmes in Tamil covering art, culture, literature, history, heritage, traditions, eminent personalities, people-centric content, news, and current affairs.
* DD Tamil is available in HD through DD Tamil HD and is carried on DD Free Dish.
* 28 regional language channels, including Tamil, have been onboarded on DD Free Dish from 1st April, 2025.
* Government of India has also established 17 Akashvani channels in Tamil Nadu.
* Live streaming of Akashvani channels in Tamil Nadu is also available through the “NewsOnAIR” mobile app.
* Akashvani stations across Tamil Nadu promote Tamil programming through their respective social media handles.
* DD Tamil promos are also broadcast as cross channel publicity on the FM network across the state.
* Prasar Bharati's OTT platform “WAVES” also hosts Tamil language content.
* **Educational Initiatives:**
* Prasar Bharati has a Memorandum of Understanding with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG) for more than 300 co-branded educational channels to be made available via DD Free Dish DTH platform.
**Impact Analysis**
**Tamil Nadu Residents**
* **Impact**: Increased access to Tamil language broadcasting through DD and AIR, improved signal quality, and wider range of programming including cultural, educational, and current affairs content. They also benefit from emergency broadcasting.
* **Action Required**: Utilize DD Free Dish, NewsOnAIR app, and social media to access the new and upgraded services.
**Viewers/Listeners in Rural, Hilly, Coastal, and Border Areas:**
* **Impact**: Improved radio and television coverage, potentially leading to better access to information and entertainment.
* **Action Required**: Tune into upgraded and new transmitters and FM channels.
**Prasar Bharati**
* **Impact**: Responsible for implementing the expansion and modernization projects.
* **Action Required**: Continue executing projects under the BIND scheme and maintaining the upgraded infrastructure.
**Regional Channel Providers**
* **Impact**: Opportunity to reach a wider audience through DD Free Dish platform.
* **Action Required**: Maintain compliance with DD Free Dish policy.
Key Entities Referenced
Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND): Central Sector Scheme focused on digitalisation/modernisation of studios and transmitters to improve broadcasting technologies.
Doordarshan (DD): India's public service broadcaster, expanding its services and content including DD Tamil.
All India Radio (AIR): India's national radio broadcaster, expanding its services and content, especially in regional languages like Tamil.
Tamil Nadu: Specific location of implementation and expansion efforts of Doordarshan and All India Radio services.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: The ministry responsible for the expansion and modernization of Akashvani and Doordarshan Kendras.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2782
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025)
EXPANSION OF DOORDARSHAN AND ALL INDIA RADIO
2782. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to
state:
a) the details of steps taken by the Government during the last
three years to expand Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR)
services across the country, particularly in Tamil Nadu;
b) whether the Government has identified coverage gaps in radio
and television broadcasting in rural, hilly, coastal and border
areas and the action taken by the Government to bridge these
gaps;
c) the status of installation of new transmitters, towers, digital
studios and FM channels under Prasar Bharati in Tamil Nadu;
d) whether the Government proposes to expand regional language
broadcasting including more Tamil content on DD and AIR; and
e) the measures taken by the Government to ensure inclusive
access to public broadcasting for educational, agricultural,
cultural and emergency communication needs?ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (e): The Government has undertaken various measures for the
expansion and modernization of Akashvani and Doordarshan Kendras
(DDK) across all states.
The Kendras are being upgraded under the Central Sector Scheme
Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND),
approved with an outlay of ₹2,539.61 crore for 2021–26.
The Scheme focuses on digitalisation/modernisation of studios and
transmitters, replacement of obsolete equipment, expansion of
coverage and adoption of new broadcasting technologies.
Under BIND, transmitter upgrades, FM expansion and digitalisation
projects are being undertaken to bridge coverage gaps in rural,
coastal, hilly and border areas and to improve signal reach, reliability
and quality.
During the last three years, some of the major projects taken up in
Tamil Nadu under BIND Scheme are:
Commissioning of 20kW FM transmitter at Rameshwaram. Installation of 5 kW FM transmitter at Salem, Vellore and 10kW
FM transmitter at Kumbakonam has been approved.
Installation of Virtual Radio System at Chennai has been
approved.
Installation of Uplink Antenna System and UPS at Earth Station
Chennai.
Automation and modernization of Programme Production
Facilities to High Definition (HD), Augmentation of New
Production equipment, installation of active LED video walls in
DDK Chennai
Government of India launched the revamped DD Tamil channel on 19th
January 2024. It is a 24x7 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. It also broadcasts news and current
affairs related to the state of Tamil Nadu.
It is available in HD through DD Tamil HD, and both channels are
carried on DD Free Dish, Prasar Bharati’s free-to-air DTH platform.Prasar Bharati also has a Memorandum of Understanding with
Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and
Geoinformatics (BISAG) for more than 300 co-branded educational
channels to be made available via DD Free Dish DTH platform.
To further strengthen regional outreach, the DD Free Dish auction
policy has been revamped, encouraging greater participation from
regional channels. As a result, 28 regional language channels,
including Tamil, have been onboarded on DD Free Dish from 1st April,
2025.
Government of India has also established 17 Akashvani channels in
Tamil Nadu. Live streaming of Akashvani channels in Tamil Nadu is
also available through the “NewsOnAIR” mobile app.
Akashvani stations across Tamil Nadu promote Tamil programming
through their respective social media handles. DD Tamil promos are
also broadcast as cross channel publicity on the FM network across
the state.Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform “WAVES” also hosts Tamil language
content, including news, current affairs, cultural and entertainment
programmes.
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