BIND ensuring wider reach of DD and AIR, Rs 981 cr utilised: L Murugan

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme is helping modernise and expand India’s public broadcasting network, with nearly Rs 981 crore already utilised up to the first quarter of FY 2025–26.

The Minister was responding to a question from Dr. D Ravi Kumar, who sought details of projects undertaken under the scheme. Dr. Murugan explained that the BIND scheme, which is a central sector initiative, was approved for the period 2021–26 with a total financial outlay of Rs 2,539.61 crore.

It is designed to upgrade the infrastructure of Doordarshan and All India Radio (Akashvani) across the country, expand the DD Free Dish platform, and strengthen broadcasting facilities in border areas, tribal belts, and regions affected by Left Wing Extremism.

According to the Minister, the scheme includes the modernisation of transmitters and studios, expansion of Doordarshan’s television channels, and the upgrading of production and transmission facilities.

It also places emphasis on content generation and innovation to ensure that public service broadcasting remains relevant and accessible, particularly to underserved communities in remote parts of the country.

As part of these efforts, DD Free Dish has grown significantly in recent years. Dr. Murugan said the platform, which is the country’s only free-to-air direct-to-home (DTH) service, now offers 510 television channels, up from 104 channels in 2019.

This includes 92 private channels, 50 Doordarshan channels and 320 educational channels. In addition, 48 Akashvani channels, including popular services like FM Gold, Rainbow and Vividh Bharati, are also available on DD Free Dish, ensuring audiences in far-flung areas have access to both entertainment and educational content.

Akashvani’s terrestrial network currently covers around 90 percent of India’s geographical area and nearly 98 per cent of the population. More than 260 Akashvani channels can also be accessed on mobile devices through the “NewsonAIR” app. To further strengthen FM services, 59 new transmitters have been approved under the BIND scheme.

The Minister also highlighted the digital transformation being undertaken by Prasar Bharati, pointing to the launch of its own OTT platform, “WAVES”, in 2024.

The multi-genre platform aggregates Doordarshan and All India Radio content and offers a mix of information, entertainment, education and cultural programming on-demand, thereby extending the reach of public service broadcasting to digital-first audiences.

Dr. Murugan underlined that BIND is not only about upgrading equipment but also about expanding the role of public broadcasting in India’s media ecosystem. By improving infrastructure, boosting reach in underserved areas, and embracing digital platforms, the government aims to ensure that Doordarshan and All India Radio continue to serve as vital channels for information, education and culture in the years ahead.