Question : AIR-DD Stations

(a) the functional and non-functional number of All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD) Kendra in the country, State/UT-wise and location-wise;

(b) whether the Government proposes to set up new Akashwani and Doordarshan Kendras in various parts particularly in remote/backward/rural areas of the country, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and location-wise;

(c) the number of high power and low power TV transmitters working in backward/tribal and remote areas of the country, State/UT, location and capacity-wise;

(d) whether the Government proposes or has accorded approval to upgrade low power transmitters into high power transmitters, if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise; and

(e) other steps taken/being taken by the Government for upgradation and modernisation of these AIR/DD Kendras with a view to improve their functional quality?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
{COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

(a) Prasar Bharati has informed that there are 67 Doordarshan (DD) Kendras (Studio Centres) in the country and all are functional. State/UT-wise and location-wise list of Doordarshan Kendras is given at Annexure-I
In so far as All India Radio (AIR) is concerned, 416 nos. of AIR Stations are functioning in the country including low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters. Location and State/UT-wise details of these stations are given at Annexure-II. All completed installations of AIR are presently functional.


(b) At present, there is no approved scheme to setup new Doordarshan Kendra in any part of country including remote/ backward/ rural areas of the country.
As regards AIR, as a part of the continuing scheme of 11th Plan and 12th Plan, 86 nos. of new AIR Stations have been approved to be set up in various parts of the country particularly remote/backward/rural areas. These include low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters. State/UT–wise and location-wise details are given at Annexure-III.

(c) There are 228 high power & 810 low power TV transmitters in the country including those located in backward / tribal and remote areas of the country. State/UT- wise locations of above mentioned high power & low power transmitters are given at Annexure-IV.

(d) In view of multichannel TV coverage having been provided through Doordarshan’s free to air DTH service, new transmitters/ Upgradation of existing transmitters for expansion of terrestrial coverage are now not envisaged, except in border areas. Project of upgradation of existing low power transmitter at Rajouri, (J&K) to 5KW high power transmitter has been approved as part of continuing scheme of 11th Plan.
As regards AIR, 64 nos. of transmitters have been approved for upgradation under 12th Plan including continuing schemes of the 11th Plan. Location and State/UT- wise details of these transmitters are given at Annexure-V.

(e) Upgradation and modernisation of Doordarshan and AIR is a continuous process and schemes in this regard have been formulated and implemented from time to time. It is a constant endeavour of Doordarshan and AIR to maintain high quality of its programme productions & transmissions and in pursuance of this objective, Doordarshan and AIR have been modernizing their network from time to time and adopting new technologies within the available resources.
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