(a) whether the Government has chalked out any plan to improve the coverage of Akashwani
and Doordarshan;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) the amount sanctioned/spent by the Government for implementation of the plan during
each of the last three years and in the current year, State and Union Territory-wise; and
(e) the further steps taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI P. R. DASMUNSI)
(a) to (c) Doordarshan coverage in the country, in terrestrial mode, population & area-wise is
about 91% and 79% respectively. The areas uncovered by terrestrial transmission along with rest
of the country, have been provided with multi channel TV/Radio coverage through Doordarshan’s
free to air DTH service ( in Ku-Band) signals, which can be received all over the country
(except A&N Islands). For expansion and improvement of terrestrial coverage, 155 transmitter
projects of Doordarshan and 249 transmitters/studios of All India Radio are presently under
implementation, as part of continuing schemes from 10th Plan. In addition, a scheme for
providing DTH service (in C-Band) to A&N Islands is under implementation.
(d) Amount spent on the schemes of expansion and improvement of Doordarshan and AIR coverage,
during the last three years is as under :
Exp.(Rs. Cr.) Year Doordarshan AIR 2004-05 47.40 11.29 2005-06 61.72 19.09 2006-07 93.98 21.47 2007-08 24.63 6.17