Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting addresses Lok Sabha question 2947 regarding the implementation of the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme. The scheme focuses on modernizing and upgrading broadcasting infrastructure, content development, and expanding public broadcasting reach. Annexures detail projects in West Bengal and funds utilized from 2020-2025. A key component involves content creation and innovation, with ₹450 crore earmarked for 2021-2026.
Key Points / Main Content:
BIND Scheme Overview:
* Central sector scheme for development, modernization, and upgradation of broadcasting infrastructure for Doordarshan and Akashvani.
* Pan-India initiative covering all states, including West Bengal.
* Focuses on content generation and innovation.
* Aims to expand the reach of public broadcasting in strategic, border, and LWE-affected areas.
Financial Allocation:
* ₹450 crore earmarked for content development and innovation across India for the period 2021-2026.
* Funds utilized (in Crore):
* 2020-21: 201.65
* 2021-22: 159.95
* 2022-23: 163.75
* 2023-24: 344.57
* 2024-25: 213.72
Projects in West Bengal:
* Setting up of a 100 W FM Transmitter at Alipurduar.
* Setting up of 1 kW FM transmitter at Kalimpong.
* Visual Radio System at Akashvani Kolkata.
* Refurbishing of Studios at Kolkata and Kurseong.
* Replacement of cooling Plant at Kolkata, Kurseong and Siliguri.
* Modernization of Studio Regional News Units (RNU) facilities at DDK Kolkata.
* Modernization of Earth Station at Kolkata.
* Modernization of program production facilities to High Definition (HD).
* Augmentation of news production equipment, including 4G/5G mobile news gathering systems.
New Age Initiatives:
* Prasar Bharati's OTT platform WAVES launched in 2024.
* DD Free Dish grew from 104 channels in 2019 to 510 channels, including private, Doordarshan, and educational channels.
* 48 Akashvani radio channels are available, including FM Gold, Rainbow, and Vividh Bharati.
* Doordarshan Kendra (DDK) Kolkata is equipped with a state-of-the-art studio facility.
Local and Regional Content:
* DDK Shantiniketan and DDK Jalpaiguri have functional studio centers for local content production.
* AIR stations at Siliguri, Kurseong, and Darjeeling are equipped with studio facilities for local and regional content.
Impact Analysis:
Doordarshan and Akashvani:
* Impact: Modernization and upgrading of infrastructure, enhanced content production capabilities, and expanded reach through various platforms.
* Action Required: Utilize allocated funds effectively, implement modernization projects, and enhance content creation to cater to diverse audiences.
Indian Audiences (including those in rural areas):
* Impact: Wider access to news, information, educational programming, and private channels through DD Free Dish and other platforms.
* Action Required: Engage with the enhanced programming and utilize the available platforms for information and entertainment.
Prasar Bharati:
* Impact: Expansion of reach through the OTT platform WAVES and DD Free Dish, integration of various channels into a digital streaming aggregator platform.
* Action Required: Continue to develop and promote the OTT platform, integrate more channels, and ensure the availability of diverse content.
Key Entities Referenced
All India Radio: A national radio broadcaster in India, also known as Akashvani.
Broadcasting Infrastructure Network Development BIND scheme: A central sector scheme for development, modernization, and upgradation of broadcasting infrastructure of Doordarshan and Akashvani in the country.
Doordarshan: Indian public service broadcaster.
West Bengal: A state in eastern India where projects were initiated under the BIND scheme to improve Doordarshan and All India Radio infrastructure.
Darjeeling: A district in West Bengal, India, where measures were taken to enhance accessibility and transmission quality of Doordarshan and All India Radio.
Kalimpong: A district in West Bengal, India, where measures were taken to enhance accessibility and transmission quality of Doordarshan and All India Radio.
Prasar Bharati: India's public service broadcaster, which includes Doordarshan and All India Radio.
DD Free Dish: A free-to-air Direct-To-Home (DTH) platform operated by Doordarshan.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2947
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025)
IMPLEMENTATION OF BIND SCHEME
2947. SHRI RAJU BISTA:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to
state:
(a) the details of allocated funds utilized under the Broadcasting
Infrastructure Network Development (BIND) scheme during
each of the last five years;
(b) the details of projects initiated under said scheme to improve
Doordarshan and All India Radio infrastructure particularly in
West Bengal along with their current status;
(c) the specific measures taken by the Government to enhance
accessibility and transmission quality of Doordarshan and All
India Radio in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts; and
(d) the provisions of the scheme for local or regional content
development to cater to linguistic and cultural diversity and
if so, the details thereof?ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (d)
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.
● It is a pan-India initiative covering all States, including West Bengal
● It includes modernization of transmitters and studios, expansion of
DD Free Dish DTH platform and DD TV channels, and upgrading
production & transmission facilities
● Focuses on content generation and innovation, and expanding the
reach of public broadcasting in strategic, border, and LWE-affected
areas
● ₹450 crore has been earmarked for content development and
innovation across India for the period 2021–2026
● Projects taken up in West Bengal under the scheme in Annexure-1
● Details of funds utilised under the scheme on Annexure-2Some of the new age initiatives undertaken to expand the reach of
Doordarshan and All India Radio include:
● Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform “WAVES” launched in 2024
○ Multi-genre digital streaming aggregator platform providing
infotainment content in multiple Indian Languages
○ Various channels of Doordarshan and AIR network are
integrated into this platform
● DD Free Dish (Free-to-Air Direct-To-Home)
○ Grown significantly from 104 channels in 2019 to 510 channels
at present
○ Includes 92 private channels, 50 Doordarshan channels, and 320
educational channels.
○ 48 Akashvani radio channels, including FM Gold, Rainbow, and
Vividh Bharati, are available
By serving Indian audiences, including significant viewership in rural
areas, these contribute to wider access to news, information,
educational programming and also private channels.
Doordarshan Kendra (DDK) Kolkata is equipped with a state-of-the-art
studio facility for programme production. In addition, DDK Shantiniketan
and DDK Jalpaiguri have functional studio centres that cater to the
production of local content.Similarly, apart from Akashvani Kolkata, AIR stations at Siliguri,
Kurseong, and Darjeeling are equipped with studio facilities to produce
local and regional content.
*****Annexure-1
Projects taken up under BIND Scheme in West Bengal:
Organisation Project Description
Setting up of a 100 W FM Transmitter at Alipurduar
Setting up of 1 kW FM transmitter at Kalimpong
All India Radio
Visual Radio System at Akashvani Kolkata
(AIR)
Refurbishing of Studios at Kolkata and Kurseong
Replacement of cooling Plant at Kolkata, Kurseong and
Siliguri
Modernization of Studio & Regional News Units (RNU)
facilities at DDK Kolkata with state-of-art digital
equipment
Modernization of Earth Station at Kolkata by
augmentation & replacement of satellite broadcast
Doordarshan
equipment
(DD)
Modernization of program production facilities to High
Definition (HD) by providing state-of-art equipment
Augmentation of news production equipment, including
4G/5G mobile news gathering systemsAnnexure-2
Funds utilised under the scheme
Funds utilized (in ₹
Financial Year
Crore)
2020-21 201.65
2021-22 159.95
2022-23 163.75
2023-24 344.57
2024-25 213.72